Pune Footpath Safety Crisis: Bombay HC Orders PMC to Act, Set Up Grievance Cell
Pune, 8th April 2025: In a significant development, the Bombay High Court has pulled up the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for failing to protect pedestrian rights and ordered the immediate establishment of a grievance redressal mechanism. The order comes in response to Public Interest Litigation (PIL No. 141/2023) filed by civic activist Qaneez e Fatemah Sukhrani, highlighting widespread encroachments, obstructions, and unsafe footpaths across Pune.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M.S. Karnik, while hearing the PIL on 3 April 2025, stated, “There cannot be any doubt that it is the statutory responsibility of the PMC, in matters of urban planning and execution of development plans, to provide basic facilities for pedestrians—safe footpaths, crossings, and clear passage.” The order was uploaded on 7 April 2025.
Court Directs Safe and Obstruction-Free Footpaths
The court directed the PMC to ensure all footpaths are kept clear of obstructions and maintained in a manner friendly to all pedestrians, including senior citizens and the differently-abled. Utilities, the court said, must not compromise pedestrian safety. “Utilities may be important, but not at the cost of pedestrian safety,” the bench observed.
PMC’s Stand on Fuse Boxes Rejected
The PMC, in its defense, argued that electricity fuse boxes—installed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL)—have existed on footpaths for over 30 years across urban Maharashtra, citing operational convenience for service personnel.
Advocate Satya Muley, representing the petitioner, strongly opposed this justification, citing the recent death of a woman in Pune’s Balewadi area due to an electric shock caused by such a setup.
Rejecting PMC’s argument, the court stated, “We do not appreciate this stand of the Corporation. Safety of pedestrians cannot be compromised just because utility companies find footpaths convenient.” It directed the PMC to identify and relocate such installations without delay.
High Court Orders Grievance Redressal Mechanism
The court also ordered the PMC to establish a grievance redressal mechanism allowing the public to report pedestrian safety issues. The mechanism must include:
- A helpline number for complaints.
- Designated officers to act on grievances promptly.
- Public awareness via newspapers and digital platforms.
The court emphasized that “wide publicity must be given in all leading newspapers regarding the redressal mechanism.”
Petitioner’s Response: Accountability and Transparency Needed
Speaking to Punekar News, petitioner Qaneez e Fatemah Sukhrani said, “Though PMC claims to follow IRC Norms 103/2012 and its own pedestrian policy, footpaths across Pune remain unusable. Encroachments and misuses post-construction are widespread. The PMC must not only act but also publish contact details of responsible officers on its website and conduct quarterly reviews with stakeholders.”
Advocate Satya Muley: ‘Collapse of Municipal Governance’
Advocate Satya Muley criticized PMC’s apathy, saying, “People in Pune are being forced to take to the streets or approach courts for basic civic amenities—be it footpaths, water, or roads. This order is welcome, but PMC must act swiftly and fully. If they fail to comply, we will return to court.”
He added that Article 243(W) and Schedule XII of the Constitution mandate local bodies to develop infrastructure ensuring pedestrian safety—footpaths, subways, zebra crossings, proper lighting, and wheelchair accessibility.
