In Pune, are grappling with growing concerns over road safety after a series of fatal accidents on poorly maintained roads. On Tuesday, a 49-year-old jogger became the latest victim when he was struck and killed in a hit-and-run accident on a stretch frequently used by pedestrians.
The area, which is home to many retirees, families, and working professionals, has seen its share of tragic incidents, including the death of a 34-year-old dentist in January after being hit by a tanker. Among those deeply affected by these events is retired Colonel, who has lived in Undri for two decades. He expressed his anxiety about walking in the area, citing the dangerous stretch where the recent accident occurred. According to Masand, the area is prone to accidents due to a sharp turn and a blind spot, compounded by the absence of speed breakers or adequate traffic control. “I now feel unsafe walking here,” the 73-year-old said, sharing his growing concern over the risks faced by pedestrians and motorists alike.
The concerns are echoed by a growing number of local residents, who have expressed frustration at the unplanned development in the area, which they say has exacerbated the risk of accidents. A director of the Mohammadwadi Undri Residents Welfare Development Foundation, pointed to the lack of infrastructure that has failed to keep up with the rapid growth. “There are numerous under-construction projects, and the number of heavy vehicles, such as tankers, has surged, but the roads remain in a deplorable condition,” he said, calling for a halt to new construction until the existing issues are addressed.
The absence of basic infrastructure like proper lighting at night and the lack of traffic regulation enforcement have made the area even more hazardous, according to, chairman of Nyati Serenity society in Mohammadwadi. “This is not the first fatal accident in the area, and it’s clear that basic infrastructure is missing,” Nair said, stressing the urgent need for the approval of a comprehensive development plan that would address the concerns of local residents.
Adding to the frustration is the lack of maintenance in the area since its merger with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in 2017. According to a resident of Nyati Windchimes, the condition of the roads has worsened in recent years. “The roads are filled with potholes, waste management is inadequate, and water supply is reliant on tankers,” he said. He emphasised that the roads need to be expanded, and spaces for pedestrians and cyclists must be created to ensure the safety of residents. Further compounding the safety issue is the absence of a proper surveillance system. Several residents mentioned that the lack of CCTV cameras on Undri’s roads has made it extremely difficult to identify culprits in the case of accidents or crimes. This gap in security infrastructure has left many residents feeling vulnerable and frustrated with the local authorities’ inability to address the growing risks.
Lt General Sunil Jog (retired), a long-time resident of Undri, stressed that speed breakers are urgently needed in areas with sharp corners or blind spots to force vehicles to slow down. “There is no control over the volume of traffic, and many roads are narrow. We need immediate action to ensure the safety of the public,” he said.
Homemaker, another resident, highlighted the overcrowding in the area, along with issues such as inadequate sewage and water connections. “This area will take forever to develop properly. We are already dealing with issues of stray animals, reckless drivers, and no speed breakers,” she said. Krishnamurthy questioned how many more lives would need to be lost before authorities took action.
As the local residents continue to voice their concerns, they are now calling for immediate intervention from the authorities. The worsening situation has led many to suggest that residents may take to the streets to demand change if their calls for safer roads and better infrastructure are not addressed. In a rapidly growing area like Undri, the urgency for a comprehensive approach to urban planning has never been clearer.
