Pune: Citizens Raise Safety Concerns Over Signal Removal, U-Turns on Nagar Road
Viman Nagar, 9th September 2025: Residents of Nagar Road have expressed serious concerns over the recent removal of traffic signals and the introduction of U-turns at major junctions, including Viman Nagar Chowk and Shastri Nagar Chowk. The move, aimed at increasing traffic speed, has reportedly created chaotic and hazardous conditions for both pedestrians and motorists.
In a detailed press note, the Association of Nagar Road Citizens Forum, led by Qaneez Sukhrani, criticized the Pune Traffic Police for not consulting citizens before implementing these changes. The citizens highlighted that while U-turns at one junction on a trial basis may be acceptable, scrapping signals at two major junctions has resulted in unsafe conditions. Shockingly, signals at smaller junctions like Bhaji Market, Chandan Nagar, 9BRD, and Aga Nagar continue to operate, often with two signals working out of sync, causing confusion.
“Traffic signals can be removed on highways to improve speed, but urban areas require them for safety,” Sukhrani said. She added that residents, especially from Viman Nagar and Kalyani Nagar, face increased risks during health emergencies, as reaching nearby hospitals like Sahyadri and Shree Hospitals has become more difficult due to the U-turns.
The forum outlined several demands for immediate action:
Conduct a reality check of the decision to remove traffic signals and replace them with U-turns.
Complete the pending removal of BRTS corridors, railings, walls, and bus shelters along Nagar Road.
Construct at-grade pedestrian crossing signals at the previous signal locations.
Deploy trained wardens at at-grade crossings to assist pedestrians and manage traffic.
Prevent wrong-side driving, which has reportedly increased following the U-turn implementation.
Install visible blinkers, barriers, and signage to ensure safe U-turns, particularly at night.
Introduce IRC-approved speed-breakers with rumbler strips near pedestrian crossings and U-turn areas.
The forum emphasized that pedestrian safety must take priority over efforts to increase vehicle speed, citing potential violations of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty. Citizens also noted that the current U-turn system causes confusion, with motorists often needing to travel long distances to return to intended routes, increasing the risk of accidents.
The forum has urged both Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Traffic Police to work together to install at-grade pedestrian crossings, zebra crossings, speed-breakers, rumbler strips, and deploy wardens within one week while a decision is taken on the temporary or permanent status of the new traffic plan.
Sukhrani concluded, “The signal-free concept works on highways, not in urban areas with high residential density. Pedestrian safety must be the top priority.”
