Civic activist Vivek Velankar has raised concerns over the quality of speed breakers on Pune’s roads, urging the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to eliminate improperly constructed speed breakers. Velankar, during a recent walking survey conducted by the civic body, identified 627 speed breakers that do not align with the standards set by the Indian Road Congress (IRC). In response, the PMC has decided to collaborate with the traffic police to review and address the issue.
Challenging Non-Compliance: Velankar Offers ₹100 for Each Speed Breaker Meeting IRC Standards
In a letter addressed to municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar, Velankar boldly stated that, according to his assessment, not a single speed breaker in the city adheres to the norms prescribed by the IRC. To emphasize his point, Velankar offered to pay ₹100 for each speed breaker that could be proven to meet IRC regulations. He urged the PMC to dismantle all non-compliant speed breakers and seek approval from the traffic police when constructing new ones.
Survey Findings and Call for Adherence to Road Safety Standards
The PMC had introduced a speed breaker policy in 2022, aligning with IRC rules, and the recent survey identified discrepancies in the implementation of these standards. Velankar’s challenge aims to highlight the urgency of addressing road safety concerns by ensuring that all speed breakers meet the prescribed government and IRC standards.
Road Asset Management System (RAMS) Survey Raises Questions
Despite the PMC’s comprehensive survey of 15 major roads under the Road Asset Management System (RAMS) in October 2023, concerns persist about the effectiveness of the assessment. The survey, which utilized engineering parameters like the international roughness index (IRI) and pavement condition index (PCI), has yet to yield tangible outcomes, leaving questions about the maintenance and repair prioritization on roads such as Ahmednagar Road, Solapur Road, and Sinhagad Road.
