Pune Activist Takes Pedestrians’ Plight to Bombay High Court Through PIL
Pune, 11th August 2023: In a bid to spotlight the long-neglected rights of pedestrians in Pune, an activist from the city has elevated the matter to the Bombay High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The activist, identified as Qaneez Sukhrani, has sought redressal for the deteriorating state of footpaths, rampant encroachments, and inadequate facilities caused by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
The city’s pedestrian infrastructure has long suffered due to shoddy construction, haphazardly positioned stalls, debris, and a general absence of proper amenities. This chronic issue has become so severe that pedestrians are often forced to navigate perilous conditions, even resorting to walking on roadways among moving vehicles.
Qaneez Sukhrani’s PIL targets multiple entities including the PMC, Urban Development Department, Town Planning and Valuation Department, District Collector of Pune, and the Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation. The PIL highlights the adverse impact of the ongoing Metro Rail project, which has further exacerbated the problem by leading to the destruction of existing footpaths for the construction of entry and exit points.
Prominent thoroughfares like Nagar Road, Aundh Road, and Karve Road bear the brunt of unauthorized vendors, illegal food stalls, beggars, and even parked vehicles, leaving pedestrians with minimal space to traverse safely. Advocate Megha Maske, who delved into the issue, emphasized that the PMC’s negligence is endangering pedestrians and constitutes a breach of duty.
Qaneez Sukhrani’s PIL contends that the PMC’s negligence stands in direct contradiction to the Indian Road Congress (IRC) Norms 103 of 2012, which prescribe guidelines for footpath development. These norms underscore the critical role of footpaths within the transportation system and stress the importance of their seamless integration. However, this perspective has been routinely overlooked in Pune.
Speaking about her motivation behind the PIL, Qaneez e Fatemah Sukhrani stated, “Filing this PIL for Pedestrians’ Rights became imperative because PMC was developing new areas rapidly, but services around Pune city were abysmal, missing, or unplanned.”
Advocate Satya Muley, who is associated with the PIL, underscored the constitutional duty of the PMC and the Town Planning Department to provide adequate pedestrian infrastructure. He emphasized that basic necessities such as proper footpaths are an essential right that Pune’s citizens deserve.
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