Pune News : In the wake of a tragic accident on June 12 that claimed the life of a 59-year-old woman on Kondhwa Road, residents near Shatrunjay Temple are urgently calling for the stretch to be declared a ‘black spot’ by the Pune traffic police department. This designation would highlight the area as accident-prone and necessitate immediate safety measures.
Atul Jain, a member of the Kondhwa Development Forum, voiced the community’s frustrations: “For the past two years, there has been almost one accident every week near Shatrunjay Temple. We have persistently appealed to the Pune traffic police and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to implement safety measures, but our pleas have gone largely unheeded. With the recent fatality, it’s imperative that this perilous stretch is officially recognized as a ‘black spot’ to ensure heightened vigilance and prompt action.”
The Alarming Statistics
The frequency of accidents on this road is alarming. According to the Pune traffic police, there have been over 25 accidents on this stretch in the last six months alone. A major contributing factor is the road’s slope, which causes vehicles to gain sudden speed, often resulting in collisions.
Local Voices and Concerns
Nitin Kenki, a daily commuter on Kondhwa Road, emphasized the ongoing danger: “This road is a daily risk to our lives. Heavy vehicles, including huge dumpers, race down the slope at Aai Mata Mandir Road, posing a significant threat. We urgently request the Pune traffic police to restrict these vehicles from using this road to safeguard thousands of lives.”
Official Response
Rohidas Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), assured residents that the situation is being taken seriously: “The black spots in the city are being verified, and if necessary, this stretch of road will be included in the accident-prone spots in Pune city.”
The June 12 Incident
The tragic accident on June 12 involved a speeding dumper that collided with a two-wheeler traveling from Aai Mata Temple to Gangadham Chowk. The victim, Damayanti Bhupendra Solanki, died instantly, while her daughter-in-law, Priyanka Rahul Solanki, 33, who was riding the bike, sustained injuries.
The Way Forward
The demand for declaring Kondhwa Road a black spot is not just about labeling but about catalyzing action. The residents hope that this designation will lead to concrete measures such as speed restrictions, better signage, and possibly rerouting heavy vehicles to safer routes. The safety of thousands of commuters hangs in the balance, and the community is determined to see this change implemented for the greater good.
