Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is taking swift action to address the steep slope at Gangadham chowk following a tragic accident. The road department has initiated the process of appointing a consultant to design a slope reduction plan, while immediate measures such as installing speed bumps and rumble strips are being prioritized. Encroachments will also be removed to widen the road, said Aniruddha Pawaskar, head of the PMC's road department.
On June 12, a speeding truck tragically claimed the life of a woman at Aai Mata Chowk on the Bibvewadi Kakade Vasti to Gangadham Chowk road. The deceased woman has been identified as Damayanti Bhupendra Solanki, a resident of Kondhwa. Her daughter-in-law, Priyanka Rahul Solanki, who was riding the bike, was also injured.
The incident drew public ire towards both the municipal corporation and the police for allowing heavy vehicle traffic and neglecting necessary road improvements. In response, senior officials from the PMC and the traffic police conducted a joint inspection on June 13 to discuss both immediate and long-term solutions.
The steep slope on the road between Aai Mata Temple and Gangadham Chowk will be modified. The current slope ratio of 1:12 feet will be adjusted to 1:20 feet. This will involve increasing the road height in some areas and reducing the slope of the hill in others. A consultant will be appointed to develop a detailed plan for this technical work. These measures are expected to significantly improve safety and reduce accidents on this critical road in Pune, Pawaskar stated.
Immediate and Short-Term Measures:
Installation of rumble strips and speed bumps before the slope.
Placement of signboards indicating speed limits, dangerous slope warnings, and advising drivers to control their speed.
Coordination with the anti-encroachment department to clear the road of illegal structures.
Requesting the police to ban heavy vehicles on this road to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers.
