Pune: Activist Points Out Threat To Warkari And People In Absence Of Height Barrier At Sadhu Vaswani Bridge In Koregaon Park

Koregaon Park, 11th June 2023: Dhairyashil Vandekar, President of the Vithalrao Vandekar Foundation, has written to the Pune Municipal Commissioner, Vikram Kumar, highlighting critical safety issues that need to be addressed before the arrival of the wari procession in Pune.

Vandekar’s letter emphasizes the urgency of completing necessary work under the Dhole Patil Ward office to ensure the safety of both the warkaris and the infrastructure.

One of the key concerns raised by Vandekar is the need for fixing a height barrier on the Sadhu Vaswani Bridge in Koregaon Park. The bridge currently prohibits the movement of heavy vehicles due to safety concerns. However, the height barrier had fallen at some point and requires immediate reinstallation. Vandekar emphasizes that many heavy trucks associated with the wari procession may attempt to use the bridge, potentially jeopardizing both the safety of the bridge itself and the warkaris. Urgent action to reinstate the height barrier is thus urged by Vandekar.

Another safety issue brought to light in the letter pertains to a spiral metal staircase near the railway track that leads to the top of the Sadhu Vaswani Bridge. Although the entrance to the bridge’s top has been blocked with a wall for safety reasons, the entrance to the staircase itself remains accessible. Vandekar witnessed numerous instances during the previous wari where warkaris attempted to climb onto the bridge from below, using this old and rusted staircase. This situation poses a significant danger to the warkaris. Vandekar claims to have informed the ward office about the issue, but no action has been taken to close off access to the staircase. Moreover, there are exposed electrical wires on the nearby streetlight pole, further increasing the accident risk in the area.

Considering the potential risks associated with these safety concerns, Vandekar appealed to PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar for immediate action. The public’s well-being, particularly that of the warkaris, is at stake. Vandekar has attached photographs supporting his claims to provide Commissioner Kumar with a clear understanding of the issues at hand.