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Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Pune: PCMC, ITDP redesign streets; make them safer, more inclusive
In a push for safer, more inclusive streets, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) along with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) has redesigned multiple streets across the twin city including major stretches in Nigadi, Dapodi, and Pradhikaran. The pilot work on most of these stretches is nearing completion and is said to be already helping citizens, especially pedestrians and cyclists, to safely access the streets. Bapusaheb Gaikwad, joint city engineer, Urban Mobility Department, PCMC, said, 'These users have as much right to safe streets as those in private vehicles, which is why this new infrastructure is critical.' These upgrades are part of the ongoing 'Urban Streetscapes Programme' and are in keeping with the Supreme Court (SC) order dated May 14 directing states and union territories to ensure safe, accessible and obstruction-free footpaths for citizens. For example, the old Mumbai-Pune highway corridor is undergoing one of the most notable transformations. A key pedestrian corridor with high footfalls, it had little to no usable footpaths previously. The redesigned stretch however includes continuous footpaths, dedicated cycle tracks, street furniture, green buffers, and junction safety improvements – all without compromising on effective street space for motor vehicles. Whereas the upgrades have also been receiving their fair share of criticism in terms of reduction of carriageway space. However, Gaikwad clarified, 'We are not reducing capacity; we are reallocating the previously unusable space by streamlining the parking and motor vehicles' lane so as to avoid bottlenecks and ensure smooth flow of traffic.' He further explained that the street already has two lanes in the service corridor along with high-speed corridor lanes which is sufficient to meet the traffic needs of commuters. Adding more lanes would only temporarily solve traffic congestion, he said. Besides, with private vehicle ownership in the city nearing 90 vehicles per 100 people, experts emphasise that continuing to widen roads is unsustainable. 'More road space attracts more vehicles and quickly brings back congestion. The relief from congestion is temporary. There is only so much widening a city can do,' executive engineer Sunil Pawar said. The only way to decongest stretches in the long run is to encourage more commuters to choose walking, cycling or public transport. 'And hence, the PCMC is prioritising its 'Urban Streetscapes Programme' that aims to reduce long-term traffic pressure by encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport – all core goals of the city's non-motorised transport policy,' Pawar added. Not only private vehicle ownership but also vehicle speed continues to be a major concern. The average speed recorded is around 50 kmph with peak speeds reaching 81 kmph. Fifty-nine per cent of the respondents surveyed identified speeding vehicles as a critical hazard. Pranjal Kulkarni, programme manager at ITDP India, said, 'Much of the opposition we hear is from vehicle users. But the reality is that a large part of our city walks or cycles. This survey was a way to amplify their needs and not just the loudest voices. Before the design interventions, only 45% of the streets had adequately walkable footpaths.' Regarding concerns that these upgrades are merely for beautification, the PCMC clarified that the works include stormwater drains, improved lighting, junction redesign, and structural upgrades. All interventions follow the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards. Prasanna Desai, architect-urban designer, said, 'The streets are being designed based on the adjoining land-use and the available space while taking into account all stakeholders and elements such as motorised vehicles, parking, pedestrians, cyclists, hawkers, trees, seating, and services and utilities. While doing this, it is important to ensure safe, seamless and uninterrupted movement for pedestrians and cyclists along with motor vehicles. Streets designed under the 'Urban Streetscapes Programme' are not just street beautification projects but street transformations that enhance the overall experience with shade, safety, and inclusivity.' Officials also noted that these upgrades have been shaped through extensive stakeholder consultations involving residents, RWAs, vendors, shopkeepers and the traffic police. Citizen inputs have been integrated throughout the planning and design process.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nashik Municipal Corporation to tie up with ITDP for improved traffic plan for city ahead of Kumbh Mela
Nashik: The civic body plans to tie up with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to chalk out a traffic plan for the city, especially in view of the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2027. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is engaging in the arrangement with ITDP to look for ways to ease traffic congestion and make the roads people-friendly, with the addition of safety features for pedestrians. "ITDP will study the city roads and traffic movement and provide us with 'soft' solutions for enhancing traffic conditions. The entire activity will be free of cost. In fact, the institute will also work as a third party to monitor the changes being made," said NMC commissioner Manisha Khatri. According to her, ITDP will use its expertise and propose technical support and solutions to NMC for traffic junction improvements to minimise accidents citywide. "The ITDP will basically monitor the plans being made by consultants, advise changes, and NMC will go through and finalise them. The organisation will also, as a third party, monitor the execution for the NMC," said Khatri. Instead of major infrastructural changes, the traffic plan will focus on tasks like shifting or removing traffic islands, installing refuge areas for pedestrians, and attempting to bring in behavioural changes among motorists. Traffic issues are rising in Nashik city, prompting the corporation to tie up with an expert organisation to address issues like parking problems, congestion and accidents. Another senior civic official noted that during the five years of the agreement between NMC and ITDP, the latter will aim to ensure a 'zero-accident city'. Activities to be undertaken by ITDP include monitoring all nine entry points to the city, studying vehicles using various junctions and the time spent crossing them, and suggesting alternatives based on scientific methods. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The organisation will also survey all major chowks and marketplaces to understand the psyche of commuters and pedestrians and suggest ways to improve the same. They plan to speak to more than 1.2% of city residents and ask them for suggestions to resolve the existing problems.
