Pune: Large numbers of commuters travelling via Vishrantwadi Road have raised serious concerns over the haphazard removal of BRT lanes. The civic administration demolished BRT structures last month ahead of Palkhi processions, but commuters have said road dividers have not been reconstructed properly, which is posing a risk to vehicles. People have highlighted the absence of markings on lanes while the PMPML commuters are forced to wait without shelter at bus stops.Iron and concrete residues are not removed completely from the Mental Corner and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk stretch.“Authorities have done extremely shoddy work while removing the medians,” said commuter Deepti Deshpande. “Leftover residues attached to the ground, including small iron pieces, remain. These are dangerous and have troubled motorists in the recent past. The authorities seem unaware of it,”. Nilesh Shah, who stays in Vishrantwadi, said with the carriageway now wider but without dividers or medians on much of the stretch, motorists often drive haphazardly. The risk increases when buses and heavy vehicles move in both directions, particularly near intersections such as Mental Corner and Shantinagar.Working professional Akash Kale said, “The situation becomes extremely risky when buses and heavy vehicles ply on both sides, along with vehicles entering from intersections. There are no traffic signals to regulate these movements”.Resident Vikas Shinde said the entire lane should be made uniform. He said motorists taking right turns from the adjacent lane are suddenly confronted with oncoming vehicles, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.PMC officials said work is underway on the Vishrantwadi stretch. “Dividers will be marked properly. There are plans to remove the remaining BRT structures in phases. PMC will approach PMPML on refixing the bus shelters at designated locations for bus stops “, officials said.Local corporator Suhas Tingre said bus shelters must be built at appropriate locations, with funds used solely for new bus stops.
