The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has embarked on an ambitious road improvement project aimed at transforming key thoroughfares into safer, more accessible, and sustainable urban spaces.
Dubbed the ‘Urban Streetscapes’ initiative, this project focuses on enhancing pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure along major routes from Dapodi to Nigdi, including the well-developed Nigdi Pradhikaran area. This initiative reflects PCMC’s commitment to fostering an inclusive urban environment where mobility is secure for all city residents regardless of age or ability. By ensuring continuous and obstruction-free walkways, the local administration aims to eliminate hazards for pedestrians and encourage active, eco-friendly modes of transportation.
The programme aligns closely with recent Supreme Court mandates which require states and union territories to provide safe and level pedestrian pathways across all urban settings. PCMC officials have explicitly incorporated these guidelines into their design criteria to ensure compliance and promote equitable urban mobility. Significant upgrades are underway on the old Mumbai-Pune highway, a critical artery connecting several urban and suburban localities. Here, the corporation is introducing dedicated cycle tracks, clearly marked pedestrian crossings, seating zones for rest, and robust street lighting. Additionally, intersections are being redesigned for greater safety, and service lanes are being constructed to improve traffic flow, adhering to Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards.
Global cities like Paris and Copenhagen have set benchmarks by prioritising pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure to reduce carbon emissions and promote healthier lifestyles. Inspired by such models, PCMC is adapting similar strategies to support the twin towns’ goals of achieving zero net carbon and sustainable urban growth. In a bid to ensure that infrastructure development is grounded in real community needs, PCMC engaged various stakeholders including residents, local business owners, vendors, and traffic authorities. This collaborative approach has been instrumental in shaping the project’s design, ensuring it reflects the lived experiences and safety concerns of those who use the roads daily.
A detailed survey conducted by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) India highlighted pressing issues faced by pedestrians and cyclists on these routes. The study revealed that 79 percent of respondents would be encouraged to cycle or walk more frequently if road designs improved. An overwhelming 87 percent supported safer layouts and the reallocation of road space to protect vulnerable users. The survey also underscored significant safety risks, with 87 percent of people feeling unsafe while crossing roads, and 82 percent expressing concern for children and senior citizens navigating the current infrastructure. Nighttime travel poses challenges for 76 percent of users, while 59 percent identified speeding vehicles as a serious hazard.
PCMC’s ongoing urban streetscapes efforts respond directly to these findings by addressing core safety issues through design interventions that prioritise pedestrian and cyclist safety while facilitating smoother vehicular movement. This road makeover is not just a matter of physical upgrades but a vital step towards creating equitable, sustainable urban environments where active mobility is encouraged, air quality is improved, and road traffic injuries are reduced. The initiative represents a proactive alignment of local governance with national directives and global best practices in urban planning.
As the project progresses, residents can expect a gradual transformation of their daily commute into a safer and more pleasant experience, contributing to the broader vision of making Pimpri-Chinchwad a model twin city for eco-friendly and inclusive urban living.
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