In a transformative move aimed at streamlining traffic in Pune, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to remove all existing speed breakers across the city. This decision is part of a broader strategy to enhance road safety, reduce congestion, and promote smoother traffic movement, following a series of surveys that identified several speed breakers not conforming to standard construction guidelines.
The city’s roads, which span approximately 2,000 kilometres, have long been burdened by speed breakers that were installed in response to safety concerns from citizens and local representatives. However, these speed breakers often failed to meet the guidelines set by the Indian Road Congress, resulting in uneven sizes, varying heights, and poor alignment. This inconsistency has been a significant cause of traffic disruptions, leading to unpredictable braking patterns, congestion, and safety hazards, especially on major thoroughfares and narrow lanes.
A survey conducted earlier this year revealed 667 improperly constructed speed breakers, of which 250 have already been removed. The PMC, acknowledging the mounting complaints from motorists and pressure from the traffic police, has now taken the bold step to remove the rest. The move is expected to increase vehicle speed, alleviate bottlenecks, and smoothen the flow of traffic, particularly during peak hours when congestion is at its worst.
While the removal of speed breakers is a crucial step towards improving traffic flow, it is also a response to the challenges posed by the ongoing construction of flyovers and other infrastructural projects across the city. The presence of unscientific speed breakers combined with these ongoing developments has significantly slowed traffic speeds, with reports indicating that during peak hours, traffic moves at an agonising pace of just 10 to 12 kilometres per hour. The PMC has also committed to assessing other infrastructural issues such as potholes and uneven surfaces, which contribute to further disruptions.
Looking ahead, the PMC plans a more judicious approach to road safety. Any new speed breakers will only be installed if absolutely necessary, after a collaborative decision between the traffic police and municipal authorities. This strategy will ensure that the need for safety measures is balanced with the goal of maintaining efficient traffic movement, creating a more sustainable and future-ready urban environment.
