Pune: Street Designs Aim to Make Pimpri Chinchwad Safer and Inclusive
Pimpri, 26th May 2025: In a significant push for safer and more inclusive streets, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has re-designed multiple streets across the city — including major stretches in Nigdi, Dapodi, and Pradhikaran. The upgrades are part of the ongoing Urban Streetscapes Programme which are in-line with implementation of the Supreme Court order passed on May 14 that directs states and union territories to ensure safe, accessible, and obstruction-free footpaths to move the citizens. The pilot work on most of these stretches is nearing completion and is already helping citizens, especially pedestrians and cyclists, to safely access the street.
“At PCMC, our top priority is building a city that works for all – not just for vehicles but also for people walking, cycling, and using public transport. Safer streets are not a luxury – they are a necessity, especially when a large share of our citizens rely on walking and cycling daily,” said Shekhar Singh, PCMC Commissioner.
One example is the Old Mumbai–Pune highway corridor which is undergoing one of the most notable transformations. A key pedestrian corridor with high footfall, it previously had little to no usable footpaths. The redesigned stretch now includes continuous footpaths, dedicated cycle tracks, street furniture, green buffers, and junction safety improvements — all without compromising the effective street space for motor vehicles.
“These users have as much right to safe streets as those in private vehicles, which is why this new infrastructure is critical,” said Bapusaheb Gaikwad, Joint City Engineer, Urban Mobility Department, PCMC.
The Urban Streetscapes in the city have been receiving some pushbacks citing reduction of carriageway space. However, Gaikwad clarified, “We are not reducing capacity — we are organising the existing street space by re-allocating the previously unusable space by streamlining the parking and motor vehicle lane to avoid bottlenecks — ensuring smooth flow of traffic.”
He further explained that the street already has two lanes in the service corridors along with the high-speed corridor lanes, which is sufficient to carry the traffic needs of the commuters and adding additional lanes would only temporarily solve the traffic congestion.
With private vehicle ownership in the city nearing 90 vehicles per 100 people, experts stress that continuing to widen roads is unsustainable. “More road space attracts more vehicles and quickly brings back congestion. The relief from congestion is temporary. There is only so much widening a city can do,” said Executive Engineer Sunil Pawar.
The only way to decongest the stretch in the long run would be to encourage more commuters to opt for walking, cycling, or public transport. “And hence PCMC is prioritising its Urban Streetscape Programme that aims to reduce long-term traffic pressure by encouraging walking, cycling, and public transport — all core goals of the city’s Non-Motorised Transport Policy.”
The recently re-surfaced concerns on the Old Mumbai–Pune Highway prompted a renewed look at citizen opinion. A focused survey by ITDP India along this corridor — specifically from pedestrians and cyclists — highlighted:
* 79% of citizens would walk or cycle more if streets were better designed.
* 87% supported street designs that prioritised safety and access, even if that required reallocating street space.
* 87% of respondents said they felt unsafe while crossing the street.
* 82% believed the stretch was unsafe for children.
* 76% reported facing difficulties at night.
* 59% identified speeding vehicles as a major hazard. Peak speeds have touched 81 km/h on this corridor.
“Much of the opposition we hear is from vehicle users. But the reality is that a large part of our city walks or cycles. This survey was a way to amplify their needs — not just the loudest voices. Before the design interventions only 45% of the street had adequately walkable footpaths,” said Pranjal Kulkarni, Programme Manager at ITDP India.
To address concerns that these projects are merely for beautification, PCMC clarified that the works include stormwater drains, improved lighting, junction redesigns, and structural upgrades. All interventions follow the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) standards.
“The streets are being designed based on the adjoining land-use and the available space, while taking into account all the stakeholders and elements like motorised vehicles, parking, pedestrians, cyclists, hawkers, trees, seating, and services and utilities. While doing this, it is important to ensure safe, seamless and uninterrupted movement for pedestrians and cyclists along with motor vehicles. Streets designed under the Urban Streetscapes Programme are not just street beautification projects but street transformations that enhance the overall experience with shade, safety, and inclusivity,” said Prasanna Desai, Architect-Urban Designer.
Officials also noted that these projects were shaped through extensive stakeholder consultations involving residents, RWAs, vendors, shopkeepers, and traffic police. Citizen inputs were integrated throughout the planning and design process.
PCMC’s commitment to enhance pedestrian and cycling-friendly spaces comes at a time when international cities like Paris, Copenhagen, and Amsterdam have been making significant investments in improving footpaths and cycle tracks. By aligning with such best practices, PCMC is taking an important step toward creating a more walkable and cyclable urban environment, mirroring the successful strategies of leading global cities.
What Citizens Said – Old Mumbai–Pune Highway Survey (Pedestrians + Cyclists):
79% would walk or cycle more if streets were better designed
87% supported safer designs, even if it meant reallocating space
87% felt unsafe crossing the street
82% felt the stretch was unsafe for children
76% faced difficulties at night
59% said speeding vehicles were a major hazard
Why This Matters:
PCMC vehicle ownership = 90 per 100 people
Widening roads is unsustainable
Walkable, cyclable cities are future-ready cities
