Footpaths Blocked by Drainage Pipes in Pune, Residents Demand Action
In yet another instance of civic mismanagement, large drainage pipes abandoned on BMCC Road have rendered pedestrian pathways unusable for over a month, compelling residents to risk their safety by walking on busy roads. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been criticised for its apparent neglect, as the pipes, reportedly meant for the water supply department, have obstructed a significant portion of the footpath. Students and local residents have expressed frustration over the encroachment, citing increased vulnerability to road accidents. With Pune already recording one of the highest numbers of rash driving incidents, the absence of a safe walking space has aggravated concerns. The situation has drawn outrage on social media, with many questioning the civic body’s failure to prioritise pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
Despite repeated complaints, there has been no substantial action from the authorities. Vaidehi Bhadani, a student from Symbiosis College, voiced her concerns, stating that the blocked pathways leave pedestrians no choice but to walk alongside reckless traffic, heightening the risk of accidents. Similarly, Ananya Goel, a local resident, emphasised that while the entire footpath may not be blocked, authorities should ensure at least partial accessibility for pedestrians. The issue also highlights a broader failure of urban planning, where public spaces are often repurposed as storage zones for construction materials, disregarding the impact on daily commuters. PMC’s Chief Superintendent Engineer of the Road Department, Anirudh Pawaskar, assured that the pipes would be removed soon, yet no definite timeline was provided, leaving residents sceptical about timely action.
From a sustainability perspective, the prolonged obstruction of footpaths discourages walking, indirectly contributing to increased vehicular dependency and carbon emissions. Encouraging pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is a key aspect of sustainable urban planning, yet incidents like these highlight the persistent neglect of non-motorised transport in Indian cities. According to urban planning experts, well-maintained and accessible footpaths not only improve walkability but also promote eco-friendly commuting. Pune, which has been pushing towards a ‘smart city’ transformation, faces a stark contradiction in its infrastructure policies when essential pedestrian zones are compromised due to civic inefficiency. The failure to ensure clear walkways directly contradicts global urban sustainability models that prioritise pedestrian safety and reduced car dependency.
At a civic level, this incident underscores the lack of accountability in infrastructure planning. Footpaths are a basic necessity in any urban space, yet their obstruction by construction materials points to deeper governance lapses. Reports indicate that illegal encroachments, coupled with unorganised public works, have significantly reduced pedestrian accessibility across Pune. In a city striving for improved liveability, such setbacks not only undermine safety but also reflect a governance model that prioritises vehicular movement over pedestrian rights. Unless the PMC takes immediate corrective measures, the larger issue of pedestrian safety will remain unaddressed, leaving citizens to navigate an increasingly hostile urban landscape.
