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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
230km network of cycle tracks proposed in revised CMP faces reality check
PUNE: According to the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR) prepared in October 2018 and revised in June 2025, the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha-Metro) has proposed a 230 km network of cycle tracks within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, out of which only about 100 km has been built so far by the civic body, that too in short, disconnected stretches. Not only does this raise questions over the development of a fresh, continuous cycling network, it also highlights that more than 50% of the existing tracks have been rendered unusable either due to encroachment, lack of maintenance, or parking violations. Maha-Metro has proposed 230-km network of cycle tracks within PMC limits, of which only about 100 km has been built so far by the civic body. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/HT) The CMP revision, mandated under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs guidelines, was approved by the Pune Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (PUMTA) in June 2025 and presented to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on August 8 at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (Yashada). Earlier, a PMC–ITDP (Institute for Transportation and Development Policy) survey of 11 arterial and sub-arterial roads carried out in October-November 2022 revealed that the existing cycle tracks were often blocked by vehicles or pedestrians, were discontinuous, or absent altogether in some areas. Safety gaps included poor street lighting, missing pedestrian crossings, and accident-prone junctions at Vaiduwadi Chowk and Kharadi Bypass. Common issues identified included encroachment by vendors and commercial activity, broken and narrow footpaths, poor enforcement of non-motorised transport zones, and hazards posed by speeding vehicles. The survey report recommended continuous, obstruction-free footpaths; dedicated USDG (urban sustainable development goal)-standard cycle tracks; strict enforcement of parking norms; strict action against vending in pedestrian/cycle spaces; traffic calming measures; better lighting and amenities such as cycle parking. A senior road department official said, 'The situation has not changed much since the 2022 survey. Nearly 60 km of the cycle tracks are currently unfit for use.' Another study by city NGO, Parisar, based on PMC data, showed that less than 10% of the target 230 km network of cycle tracks has been achieved with only 83 km of usable tracks in place—many of them poorly maintained or defunct. Ranajit Gadgil, programme director at an NGO, said, 'The plan looks good on paper but has failed in execution.'. He highlighted problems such as lack of continuity, obstructions, and poor separation from pedestrians. He said an independent study of the city's existing cycle tracks will be released in a couple of weeks, but initial findings show that there is no continuous network across Pune. Encroachments, parking violations, poor maintenance, and weak enforcement are major issues. He suggested that the PMC should first focus on maintaining the existing tracks and keeping them obstacle-free by forming a dedicated team for monitoring and enforcement. Without this the new plan would remain only on paper, he warned. Gadgil also pointed out that in 2017, PMC had introduced a Comprehensive Bicycle Plan aiming for an 824-km cycling network to raise the modal share of cycling from 3% to 25% by 2031. The plan included 531 km of segregated tracks, 154 km of marked lanes, 75 km of independent cycleways, 54 km of retrofitted tracks, and 11 km of combined footpath-cycle tracks. Till date however, only about 84 km of tracks exist and even these are in disconnected stretches, Gadgil said. Nikhil Mijar, traffic planner at PMC, said that the civic body has developed about 100 km of cycle tracks on roads in areas such as Kharadi, Nagar Road, Ganeshkhind Road, Satara Road, Hadapsar, Baner, and Aundh. However, he stressed that proper enforcement is essential to ensure that these tracks are used as intended.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
FIR filed against 7 for harassing Kargil veteran's family over citizenship
The Pune police on Wednesday filed a first information report (FIR) against seven individuals and others for alleged unlawful assembly after a group of members belonging to a right-wing group barged into the house of a family of Kargil War veteran. According to the family, the mob forced its way into the residence around midnight, abused the occupants, and insisted on identity verification. (MAHENDRA KOLHE/ HT) The police action came a day after the war veteran's family in Pune alleged that a mob of around 80 individuals, allegedly affiliated to a right-wing group, forcibly entered their home in Chandannagar late Saturday night and accused them of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. The group allegedly demanded Aadhaar cards and other documents to prove their Indian citizenship. According to the family, the mob forced its way into the residence around midnight, abused the occupants, and insisted on identity verification. Some members of the group allegedly claimed the family's documents were fake, despite being shown valid Aadhaar cards. Women and children were also allegedly coerced to produce ID documents. Irshad Shaikh, 48, whose elder brother Hakimuddin Shaikh served in the Indian Army during the Kargil War, said that their family has lived in Pune for over six decades. 'We tried to explain that our family has deep roots here, and several of us have served in the armed forces, but they continued hurling accusations,' he said. He alleged that two men in plainclothes identified themselves as police personnel but did not intervene while the group harassed the family. After being taken to the Chandannagar Police Station, the family claims they were made to wait by officials for hours and told to return the next day or risk being declared 'Bangladeshi nationals'. 'We met Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar on Wednesday and explained him chain of events and how our family was harrassed and intimidated by a group of people. He assured us that stringent action is being taken against anti-social elements,' said Irshad after visiting the police commissionerate. He claimed that the family has all valid documents to prove citizenship. 'If necessary, we can trace our citizenship back 400 years,' he said, adding that multiple family members had served in the army across various wars. Kumar said an FIR has been registered under sections related to unlawful assembly. 'On receiving a call about suspected Bangladeshi nationals, police found people raising slogans outside the house. The mob's actions are under scrutiny, and based on fresh statements, more sections may be added or a separate FIR may be filed,' he said. On the family's claim that police in civvies stood by during the incident, Kumar said most personnel were in uniform but did not rule out the possibility that some were in plainclothes. He added that the family's documents were verified and found to be in order. The family has sought support from social activists and lawyers, who accompanied them to a meeting with the police commissioner on Wednesday evening, demanding strict action against those involved. Hakimuddin, now living in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, said, 'It's disheartening that a family with a history of military service has to face such humiliation. If required, I'll personally speak to the authorities to seek accountability.'
