Pune: PMC To Remove All Speed Breakers In Pune, Aims For Smoother Traffic Flow

Pune, 19th December 2024: In a significant move to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the removal of all speed breakers across the city. The decision follows a survey that revealed widespread violations of road design standards in the construction of speed breakers.

Earlier this year, a PMC survey identified 667 unscientifically constructed speed breakers on Pune’s roads, of which 250 have already been removed. However, the municipal body has now decided to remove all remaining speed breakers. This move is expected to make Pune’s roads speed breaker-free, potentially increasing traffic speed and reducing bottlenecks.

Pune has an extensive road network spanning around 2,000 kilometers, including 1,400 kilometers in the city’s old limits and an additional 500-600 kilometers added after the merger of 34 villages. Many of the existing speed breakers were installed based on demands from local citizens or public representatives, citing safety concerns over speeding and accidents. However, these installations frequently ignored the norms established by the Indian Road Congress, including regulations on the height, width, and size of speed breakers.

As a result, speed breakers of varying sizes and designs can be found across the city, from narrow lanes to major roads. This lack of uniformity has created additional challenges for motorists, often causing unpredictable braking, increased congestion, and safety concerns. Complaints from citizens and demands from the traffic police for their removal led the PMC to take action.

According to the PMC, ongoing surveys are also assessing road conditions, including potholes, uneven surfaces, gaps, and manhole chambers, to identify other factors contributing to traffic issues. The PMC has acknowledged that it currently lacks an accurate count of speed breakers across the entire road network, which is being rectified through these surveys.

Additionally, the PMC’s road infrastructure faces challenges from ongoing flyover construction on major city routes and highways leading into Pune. During peak hours, traffic speed has reportedly dropped to a mere 10-12 kilometers per hour, further exacerbated by the presence of speed breakers.

Moving forward, the PMC has stated that any new speed breakers will be installed only if deemed absolutely necessary, following a joint decision by the Traffic Police and the PMC. This measured approach is aimed at balancing safety concerns with smoother traffic management.