“Signal-Free” Chaos on Pune’s Nagar Road: Pedestrians Struggle as Traffic Never Stops
Reported by Akshata Pawar
Nagar Road, 21st May 2025: With traffic signals now turned off on the busy Nagar Road, a stretch previously covered under the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, pedestrians are finding it nearly impossible to cross the road safely. The move, part of a so-called “signal-free” initiative, has sparked strong reactions from locals.
“Back when the BRT was active, at least the signals were operational. Now they’ve been shut down, and traffic just never stops — we simply can’t cross the road,” said a frustrated resident in a video that’s gaining attention online.
When approached, traffic police officials stated, “We are planning measures to help pedestrians.” But citizens aren’t convinced. “Why not implement pedestrian solutions before turning off the signals? This is like inviting guests for dinner before you’ve even bought onions and potatoes!” quipped one commuter, drawing laughter — and concern.
The situation has highlighted a long-standing issue: the prioritization of vehicles over pedestrians in urban planning. “This is just another example showing that traffic police care more about vehicle flow than pedestrian safety,” said a local activist.
A video shared on YouTube captures the issue firsthand:
https://youtube.com/shorts/pi5mScG9850
As the debate continues, citizens are urging authorities to take immediate steps to ensure both efficient traffic movement and pedestrian safety.
