Pune: Wanowrie Residents Demand Removal of Cement Barricades at Fatima Nagar Chowk, Cite Pedestrian Safety Risks

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Wanowrie, 16th July 2026: Residents of several housing societies along the Pune-Solapur Highway have intensified their demand for the removal of cement barricades at Fatima Nagar Chowk, alleging that traffic changes introduced on October 21, 2024, have made the junction increasingly unsafe for pedestrians. They claim the barricades have heightened the risk of accidents, disrupted daily life, and adversely affected schoolchildren, senior citizens, local businesses, and thousands of daily commuters.

Residents from Himalaya House Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., Himalayan Heights Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., Mihir Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., Panchratna Co-operative Housing Society, and other nearby residential societies have jointly submitted a detailed memorandum to the Pune Traffic Police, seeking immediate intervention.

The memorandum states that Fatima Nagar Chowk has become unsafe for pedestrians and asks, “How are pedestrians supposed to cross the road?”

Long-Pending Issue Since October 2024

According to residents, before the installation of the cement barricades, there was no permanent divider obstructing pedestrian movement. Vehicles naturally slowed down near Fatima Nagar Chowk, allowing people to cross the road relatively safely.

However, after the traffic changes were implemented on October 21, 2024, the divider opening was permanently closed with cement barricades. Residents allege that vehicles now travel continuously at high speed along the Pune-Solapur Highway without slowing down, making it extremely difficult for pedestrians to cross safely.

Although one opening has been provided in the divider, residents say it is inadequate considering the large number of people who cross the road daily.

Zebra Crossing ‘Poorly Aligned’

One of the key concerns highlighted in the memorandum is that the zebra crossing and the pedestrian opening in the divider are not aligned. As a result, pedestrians are forced to walk through moving traffic before reaching the designated crossing point.

Residents questioned how senior citizens, children, and persons with disabilities are expected to cross such a busy highway safely.

Traffic Signal Frequently Malfunctions

Residents also alleged that the traffic signal frequently malfunctions.

According to them, the signal operates intermittently and often remains non-functional. Even when it is working, many motorists allegedly ignore the red signal and continue driving.
Residents further claimed that traffic police personnel are deployed only occasionally.

“There are days when traffic police are present, but on many occasions nobody is there to regulate traffic. Without enforcement, vehicles do not stop even at the signal,” residents said.

Schoolchildren Among the Worst Affected

Residents said the issue is particularly serious because a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) school is located near Fatima Nagar Chowk, while a nearby slum settlement is home to many school-going children.

According to residents, these children are forced to cross the busy Pune-Solapur Highway every day to attend school, putting their lives at risk.
Parents fear that unless adequate pedestrian facilities are provided, a serious accident could occur.

Essential Services Located Across the Highway

Residents pointed out that most essential services—including grocery stores, vegetable markets, pharmacies, banks, and other daily-need shops—are located on the opposite side of the highway.

“As residents, we are compelled to cross the road several times every day because everything we require is located across the highway. Crossing the road is not a choice; it is a necessity,” they said.

Local Businesses Also Affected

Residents said local shopkeepers have reported a decline in business since the barricades were installed.

According to them, vehicles no longer slow down near commercial establishments, reducing customer access and affecting business activity in the area.

Residents Allege Increase in Accidents

Residents claimed that several accidents have occurred since the installation of the barricades.

One resident said: “I suffered a fracture while trying to cross the Pune-Solapur Highway after the cement barricades were installed. Vehicles do not slow down anymore, and pedestrians are left stranded in the middle of the road. Senior citizens especially face immense difficulty. We don’t want anyone else to suffer what I went through. The authorities should remove these barricades before another serious accident takes place.”

Another resident added:”Every morning and evening we wait for several minutes just to cross the road because vehicles rarely stop, even when the signal is red. Parents worry about their children, and senior citizens cannot cross without someone’s help. We are not asking for any special facility—we are only requesting safe pedestrian access and proper traffic management.”

Residents Have Been Following Up for Months

According to the memorandum, residents have repeatedly approached the authorities, but the issue remains unresolved.

Representations were submitted on:
October 23, 2024
October 25, 2024
October 29, 2024
October 30, 2024
November 28, 2024
December 28, 2024

Residents said they have repeatedly met traffic officials and requested corrective measures, but no permanent solution has been implemented.

Residents’ Demands

The memorandum calls for:
Removal of the cement barricades at Fatima Nagar Chowk.
Safe and convenient pedestrian crossings.
Proper alignment of the zebra crossing with the divider opening.
Continuous functioning of the traffic signal.
Permanent deployment of traffic police during peak hours.
Strict action against motorists violating traffic signals.
Greater priority for pedestrian safety over uninterrupted vehicular movement.
The memorandum also carries the message:
“Walking is a right. Driving is not a right.”

Ashatai Shinde Calls for Immediate Action

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Ashatai Shinde said the issue has remained unresolved despite repeated representations.

“This is not a new issue. Since October 2024, residents have continuously approached the Traffic Police and concerned authorities through written representations and personal meetings, but the problem remains unresolved. Before the cement barricades were installed, vehicles naturally slowed down near Fatima Nagar Chowk, allowing pedestrians to cross more safely. Today, senior citizens, women, and schoolchildren are forced to wait for long periods because vehicles rarely stop. The divider opening is inadequate, and the zebra crossing has been provided in a different direction, making it unsafe for pedestrians. The barricades near Magarpatta City were removed after residents raised concerns. If the authorities could remove them there, why can’t they remove the barricades at Fatima Nagar Chowk? We are only asking for equal treatment and a safe pedestrian crossing. The cement barricades should be removed, the traffic signal should function continuously, and adequate traffic police should be deployed throughout the day.”

Nazir Khan Highlights Daily Struggles

Resident Nazir Khan said people in the area face difficulties every day.

“Before October 21, 2024, there were no cement barricades here and vehicles slowed down near Fatima Nagar Chowk. After the divider was blocked, vehicles continue moving at high speed and hardly anyone stops. The traffic signal works sometimes and sometimes it doesn’t. Even when the signal is functioning, many motorists ignore it. Traffic police are present only occasionally.
There is one divider crossing, but it is not enough. The zebra crossing and divider opening are in different directions, making it unsafe for pedestrians. There is a PMC school nearby and children from the adjoining slum cross this road every day. Senior citizens face enormous difficulty, and almost all essential facilities are located on the opposite side of the highway. We are forced to cross the road every day because we have no alternative. Since the barricades were installed, businesses have slowed down and several residents have met with accidents. We don’t want these cement barricades. They should be removed and proper pedestrian-friendly traffic management should be restored.”

Traffic Police Assure Action

Responding to the residents’ concerns, Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Atul P. Kshirsagar of the Wanowrie Traffic Division, Pune City Police, told Punekar News that immediate steps would be taken to address the issue.

“I will immediately issue instructions to the
concerned company to ensure that the traffic signal becomes fully operational. I will also direct traffic police personnel to remain present at the junction so that residents do not face inconvenience. We will ensure that vehicles stop properly at the signal, and dedicated traffic police personnel will assist senior citizens, schoolchildren, and other pedestrians while crossing the road. Necessary steps will also be taken to ensure that the signal remains functional at all times.”

Residents said they now hope the Pune Traffic Police and the concerned authorities will act on their long-pending demands before another serious accident occurs at Fatima Nagar Chowk.