Latest news with #BRTS
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Flyover & grade separator planned for Sangamwadi Chowk in Pune
Pune: The civic administration has put forth a plan to construct a flyover and a grade separator at the busy Bindumadhav Balasaheb Thackeray Chowk, popularly known as Sangamwadi Chowk, to ease traffic flow. A budget of Rs115 crore has been estimated for both infra projects. Vehicles coming from the Sangamwadi, Yerawada, Deccan College and Pune Airport areas crisscross at this junction, which faces significant traffic snarls during peak hours. There have been repeated demands for long from regular commuters and former elected representatives to construct a flyover at the junction. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year appointed a consultant to study the traffic situation and recommend measures. Thereafter, civic officials said a grade separator was proposed for vehicles coming from Shivajinagar via Sangamwadi Road to travel towards Airport Road (Ambedkar Chowk), and also towards Yerawada. Vehicles travelling on the Deccan College-Yerawada stretch will have the facility of a flyover catering to two-way traffic. It is expected that the proposed flyover and grade separator will eliminate halting for maximum vehicles at the chowk. The PMC has floated tenders to appoint an agency for execution, and this process is expected to be completed in the next few months. Civic officials said they will initiate steps to seek necessary permissions and approvals to avoid delays in starting this project work. Residents from the Sangamwadi area said that the provision of a flyover or an underpass at the chowk has been long pending. Amol Belsare, who works in the Yerawada area, said, "The chowk witnesses a rush during peak hours. Those travelling from Yerawada and crossing the junction to travel to Sangamwadi-Shivajinagar or Deccan College spend a lot of time in long snarls. It is unlikely that the situation will improve unless the administration constructs a flyover. " Former local corporator Sanjay Bhosale said that the issue of traffic chaos at the junction was raised repeatedly in general body meetings. "The administration needs to expedite the execution to give relief to commuters as PMC is already late in proposing the flyover and grade separator," he said. Meanwhile, sources from PMC said that before executing the project, the civic body will have to take a call on Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) lanes in the area. A few years ago, the administration dismantled the BRTS on Sangamwadi Road as a failed project; however, the BRTS lane still exists on the Deccan College Road.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
History-sheeter flaunting ‘drugs' in BRTS bus caught
Surat: The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) and Mahidharpur police arrested a history-sheeter a day after his video brandishing a knife, flaunting suspected drugs, and mocking at the cops aboard a BRTS bus went viral on social media. The accused, identified as Virendra Thakkar, alias Koyato, was caught in Chalisgaon village in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. Thakkar is a repeat offender with a criminal history involving housebreakings and thefts. In the video, Thakkar is seen verbally abusing, threatening, and assaulting passengers, particularly a college student, aboard BRTS route E-52, which runs from Adajan Gas Circle to Kamrej. According to witnesses, the chaos began when the bus halted at Surat railway station and Thakkar boarded. When a college student requested him to behave, Thakkar responded with threats and foul language. He then pulled a knife from his pocket, threatened the student, and showed a transparent plastic bag containing a white powdery substance, claiming it was drugs worth Rs 5,000. Thakkar bragged about being a "Royal Kathiyawadi," claimed involvement in multiple crimes, and mocked the Surat police, saying they failed to catch him. He also claimed to be the son of a millionaire and boasted that his watch was worth Rs 2.5 lakh. As his intimidation continued, one of the co-passengers discreetly filmed the entire episode. The video, later shared by multiple passengers on social media, quickly went viral and reached the police.
The Print
5 days ago
- General
- The Print
Pimpri Chinchwad shows how to put people before vehicles. It's a model for urban India
Our roads must serve people—not just vehicles. In Pimpri Chinchwad, 23 per cent of daily commuters walk, and around 1 per cent cycle. But the streets they navigate daily are fraught with danger. The absence of continuous footpaths, safe pedestrian crossings, and protected cycling lanes exposes them to constant risk. If our mobility systems are to be truly inclusive, they must be built around the needs of those who walk and cycle. Streets that are safe for the most vulnerable are streets that are safe for everyone. Pimpri Chinchwad, a key city in the Pune Metropolitan Region, is a microcosm of this broader national challenge. In 2022 and 2023, the Pune district recorded 3,343 road crash fatalities. Within the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, there was a small decline—fatalities fell from 373 in 2022 to 360 in 2023. Still, nearly one-third of those killed were pedestrians, and another 2 per cent were cyclists. For a city that aspires to be smart, inclusive, and liveable, these numbers are deeply concerning. Every year, more than 1.19 million lives are lost in road crashes across the world. In India alone, over 165,000 people die annually in such incidents—an enormous human and economic tragedy that costs the country an estimated 3 per cent of its GDP. As the world observed the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week from 12 to 18 May, under the theme 'Streets for Life – Make Walking and Cycling Safe', it is time for our cities to confront this crisis head-on, especially for the sake of their most vulnerable road users. Recognising this, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched several people-first mobility initiatives. Also Read: Reckless drivers, beware! This Pune engineer keeps score with his traffic violation hall of shame Building India's first 15-minute city At the heart of PCMC's efforts is Harit Setu—India's first 15-Minute City pilot, located in Pradhikaran, Nigdi. Through this initiative, PCMC is redesigning key corridors to ensure that essential services, public spaces, and transit options are within safe walking or cycling distance. The project is being led by the newly formed Urban Mobility Department, reflecting PCMC's commitment to sustainable and inclusive transport planning. Harit Setu also aims to improve last-mile connectivity by integrating public transport modes—such as the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) and metro—with safe, non-motorised transport infrastructure. Complementary measures such as lowering speed limits, redesigning high-risk locations, removing black spots, and introducing Safe School Zones in partnership with the Pimpri Chinchwad Police are making the city's streets safer, step by step. PCMC is also part of two global road safety programmes: the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety (BIGRS) and the Bloomberg Initiative for Cycling Infrastructure (BICI). Pimpri Chinchwad is the only Asian city selected for BICI—a recognition of its leadership in promoting cycling. With support from partners like the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI), the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy-India (ITDP), and Prasanna Desai Architects, the city is implementing world-class design principles to protect all road users. In a landmark move, PCMC has officially endorsed the Global Street Design Guide, further aligning its planning framework with international best practices. Redesign the roads, not just rules Despite progress, challenges remain—especially speeding, which continues to be a leading cause of road deaths. A rethink is needed in how we classify and design roads. Instead of relying solely on categories like arterial and sub-arterial, cities must adopt a context-sensitive approach that aligns street design with actual user behaviour. Research shows that a small number of high-speed roads often account for the majority of pedestrian fatalities. These roads need to be redesigned with appropriate speed limits and built-in traffic-calming features, in line with Indian Road Congress standards. Strong enforcement is equally vital. Installing speed cameras, expanding CCTV coverage, and ensuring coordination between PCMC, the Traffic Police, and the Regional Transport Office will help create a safer and more accountable road environment. Good street design can itself act as a form of self-enforcement—encouraging safer behaviour without the need for constant policing. Of course, change is not always welcomed. Some stakeholders argue that narrower lanes and lower speed limits cause traffic delays or harm economic activity. But evidence from cities around the world shows the opposite—well-designed, safer streets make neighbourhoods more vibrant, healthier, and economically resilient. Also Read: 460 road deaths every day—10 Indian states have come up with safety models. It's working Road safety is everyone's job To make a lasting impact, Pimpri Chinchwad must foster a city-wide culture of road safety. Civic authorities cannot do it alone. Citizens, schools, colleges, resident welfare groups, and companies all have a role to play in promoting walking and cycling. Drivers must learn to respect pedestrian crossings and cyclists' right of way. Public awareness campaigns—on speed limits, helmets, seatbelts, and traffic discipline—must be expanded across media platforms. Change will only come when people are empowered to be part of the solution. The city already has the data, pilot projects, and planning tools. Now, what's needed is collective resolve—from policymakers, enforcers, and citizens alike—to put people before vehicles. If Pimpri Chinchwad succeeds in cutting road crash fatalities by half by 2030, it will not only save hundreds of lives—it will also chart a new path for urban India. The journey to zero traffic deaths is long, but it begins with a single, safe step. Let this be the moment Pimpri-Chinchwad chooses Streets for Life—and in doing so, chooses a safer, healthier future for all. Shekhar Singh, IAS, is the Municipal Commissioner and Administrator of the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Jashwanth Tej Kasala is Program Manager, Global Designing Cities Initiative. Views are personal. (Edited by Asavari Singh)
Hans India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Police Yogandhra programme held in Vijayawada
On the occasion of Yogandhra 2025, a vibrant Police Yogandhra program took place at the BRTS Yoga Street in Vijayawada. The event saw participation from State Government Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, along with various IAS and IPS officers, who engaged in yoga asanas to promote the initiative. Speaking at the event, Vijayanand remarked that yoga serves as a divine medicine that harmonises the mind and body while enriching one's overall well-being. He emphasised the collective aspiration to integrate yoga into everyday life, highlighting that yoga programmes would be conducted across all 26 districts, each featuring a unique theme to foster enthusiasm and community spirit. The initiative aims to include all sectors of society—from farmers and students to workers—into the Yoga Andhra movement. Officials announced plans for awareness and training programmes to introduce at least two crore individuals in the state to yoga, adhering to a 45-minute simple yoga common protocol developed by experts. In a move to promote yoga's benefits, special programmes are set to take place in approximately 100 tourist destinations throughout the state. Additionally, every village and town will host Yoga Andhra events, with four tourist locations in each district designated to showcase the advantages of yoga. Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand also confirmed that celebrations for International Yoga Day will be held in Visakhapatnam on June 21. The Police Yogandhra programme in Vijayawada witnessed participation from around five thousand police officers, staff, and yoga enthusiasts. Among those in attendance were Special Chief Secretary (Health, Medical and Family Welfare) MT Krishnababu, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner Veerapandian, CCLA, NTR District Special Officer G. Jayalakshmi, AYUSH Director K. Dinesh Kumar, NTR District Collector Dr. Lakshmi, and Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhara Babu.
New Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Turkish firm handling ticket fare collection in Indore's BRTS under lens over alleged links to drone maker
'It has come to my notice that the company performing the work of ticket fare collection of the BRTS in Indore is named Asis Elektronik. It's also being said that the company is directly associated with the Turkish company which supplied armed drones to Pakistan for use against India after the launch of Operation Sindoor. A probe has been ordered to establish the relationship between Asis Elektronik and the company (Asisguard) which supplied armed drones to Pakistan to strike at Indian targets. If the probe establishes any type of association between the two companies, then their association with the BRTS should be immediately terminated,' Indore mayor and BJP leader Pushyamitra Bhargava said on Thursday. 'This company has been working in a joint venture with another company on the ticket fare revenue collection system of BRTS Indore since 2016. The ordered enquiry will probe all aspects, spanning from when work order was given to what was the system of their revenue collection. We can't allow any firm or company which is directly or indirectly related to forces against our national security, to thrive on our resources,' he said. 'This BRTS Indore related issue apart, it is being widely reported that citizens of our country have decided against touring Turkey, due to its partnership with Pakistan against India. If the citizens are doing it out of patriotism, it's our duty also to find out whether use of Turkish technology in our infrastructure projects is hurting Indian interests socially or economically,' the Indore mayor added. These developments come just a few days after the revocation of the security clearance of Turkish aviation giant Celebi Airport Services, which was managing ground handling operations at nine major Indian airports including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. These operations have since been reassigned to Indian firms. The Delhi High Court had rejected the company's petition for relief with a stern "better safe than sorry" response.
