Pune: To address growing concerns over pedestrian safety and convenience, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to audit footpaths across the city.

The initiative is part of the "Pedestrian Safety and Convenience Policy," formulated to ensure safe walking conditions for citizens. However, the lack of proper implementation of this policy has led to widespread complaints from residents.

The city of Pune boasts around 757 kilometers of footpaths constructed under the “Urban Roads Plan Guideline Policy” along its 1,600 kilometers of roadways. These footpaths are intended to provide safe and dedicated walking spaces for pedestrians.

However, encroachments have become a significant issue, with unauthorized vendors and businesses occupying these paths, leaving pedestrians to walk on busy roads.

PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has directed the administration to conduct a comprehensive audit of all footpaths in the city. The audit report, expected to be submitted in the coming weeks, will detail the current status of these pedestrian pathways.

PMC has been spending large amounts on footpath construction and pedestrian safety initiatives, but enforcement is lacking. To curb encroachments, Dr. Bhosale has ordered the formation of rapid action teams consisting of personnel from the Road Department and Encroachment Department.

These teams will inspect footpaths for unauthorized businesses and identify "No Hawker Zones" to ensure footpaths remain accessible for pedestrians. Enforcement measures against encroachers are also being planned as part of this effort.

The PMC has faced criticism for celebrating events like Pedestrian Day while failing to enforce its pedestrian safety policy effectively. Residents have questioned whether PMC's responsibility is limited to symbolic gestures or if it will take substantial steps to address the challenges faced by pedestrians.