Falling rocks, stray cattle pose threat to commuters on highway service roads
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Pune: Loose rocks on hillocks, lack of protective netting and dumped food waste pose a threat to commuters on service roads of the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway passing through the city.
On at least two stretches near the Pashan-Sus flyover and in Bavdhan, residents reported loose rocks tumbling down near hillocks in the absence of a safety net.
Aradhana Shah, a research analyst who commutes from Pashan to Fergusson College Road, spoke about the rocky hillock near Chandni Chowk. "There are no nets on the patch where the main road turns towards Paud Road after the Chandni Chowk flyover. Last month, I saw some rocks on the road and the roadside, which came loose from the hillock.
These were small rocks and nobody was hurt. But the authorities must act before someone gets injured," said Shah.
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Another concern is eateris' routine dumping of food waste. One such spot is the approach to the Ramnadi bridge on the service road close to Patel Nagar, along the Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass.
Alok Mishra, a film media professional, said, "The service road between Pashan and HEMRL on the Bengaluru highway remains littered with food waste.
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It is a big eyesore. People coming from Mumbai, Bengaluru and other districts to Pune use the service roads to enter the city. Imagine being greeted by rotting food and stench. Worse, cattle and pigs come to eat this food and become a hindrance to traffic. Many times, cattle or piglets suddenly run to the road or cross the road.
To save them, there are accidents. These animals may even run to the highway, where vehicles run at top speed.
This may prove dangerous both to animals and commuters."
Adhersh B, who takes the highway from Bavdhan to Hinjewadi where he works, said, "The condition of service roads is pathetic. There are huge potholes in many places. These get filled up during rains and become a hazard for two-wheeler riders because they can't gauge the potholes' depth. Bikes tend to skid or fall. I stopped using my bike and now travel in a car for safety."
The inclined service road near Pashan, connecting the Pashan-Sus Road with the Bengaluru highway, is also used by people who want to access the Pashan Hill for morning and evening walks. "Both the highway department and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) or other authorities must thoroughly check the roads, not just the spots pointed out by residents or the media, and take appropriate safety measures for motorists and pedestrians," said homemaker Prajakta Joglekar.
Aniruddha Pawaskar, the chief engineer of the road department of PMC, told TOI that he would ask the engineers concerned to visit the site immediately and take appropriate measures.
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