The daily commute to work became a death sentence for 42-year-old Sunita Santosh Alkunte, a domestic helper in Pune. Her tragic death on November 21, after being hit by a speeding two-wheeler while crossing the perilous Ganeshkhind Road, has ignited urgent demands for pedestrian safety reforms in the city.
A Fatal Crossing and a Family's Loss
Sunita Alkunte was crossing the busy thoroughfare in Bhosalenagar with a friend when the accident occurred. Initially treated for fractures to her hand and leg and sent home from the hospital, her condition deteriorated days later. She developed a high fever and severe vomiting, leading to her admission and subsequent death within hours. Her sister, Vaishali Korade, also a domestic worker in the area, suspects untreated head or internal injuries from the fall.
"She was fine before the accident," Korade told TOI, heartbroken. "If only there was a decent way to cross this road or vehicle drivers slowed down, my sister would still be alive." Alkunte, with no prior illness, is survived by her husband, a painter, and two sons aged 25 and 23. The family awaits a post-mortem report to confirm the exact cause of death.
An Everyday Battle for Pedestrians
For hundreds of domestic helpers, senior citizens, and daily commuters, crossing Ganeshkhind Road is a terrifying routine. Despite crores being spent on vehicular infrastructure like flyovers and signal-free corridors, pedestrian facilities remain dangerously neglected.
"Before the Aundh to Shivajinagar flyover, vehicles were slow-moving. Now, everyone speeds on the road below," explained Sangeeta Dongre, a house help in Kasturkunj society. She highlighted the absence of traffic wardens and the menace of vehicles, especially two-wheelers, driving on the wrong side. "Where do we look while crossing? So many of us were injured last month, and we even lost one of our own."
Another domestic worker, Lakshmi Dhotre, described the fear: "We wait for 10 minutes just to cross. Not a single vehicle slows down. Some even speed up. Many have fallen and been grievously injured." This sentiment echoes across other revamped roads like Chandni Chowk and Nagar Road, where pedestrian needs were an afterthought.
Community Mobilizes and Authorities Respond
Driven by fear, the domestic helpers approached their employers, leading the ICS Bhosale Nagar Mohalla Committee to draft a letter to top civic and police officials. The demands are clear:
- A road safety audit at the accident site.
- Safe crossing measures: raised pedestrian crossings, median refuges, zebra crossings, and better lighting.
- Immediate traffic-calming measures like rumble strips and speed bars.
- Wider, obstruction-free footpaths as per guidelines.
- A joint site visit to finalize action timelines.
Resident Hema Chari called it a "question of social justice," affecting those with the least choice. Smita Kulkarni, a committee member, noted that shifting Metro barricades increased road width, making vehicles even faster. "Walking is out of the question... pedestrians are last on every priority list," she lamented.
A Systemic Failure of Mindset and Design
Experts point to a deep-rooted problem. Urban designer Vikrant Shinde stated that the perception of a good road in Pune is one with maximum area for vehicles. A pedestrian-inclusive approach is missing from the planning stage itself. Prashant Inamdar, convenor of Pedestrians FIRST, echoed this, stating authorities and motorists often treat pedestrians as intruders, not legitimate road users.
"We need to make all the infrastructure first and then look at strict rule enforcement. Changing mindsets will take time, but systemic changes can be the first step," Inamdar emphasized.
Official Stance: A Waiting Game
The official response highlights bureaucratic delays. PMC chief engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar stated that pedestrian infrastructure on Ganeshkhind Road cannot be built until flyover work is complete and handed over to PMC. He added that even temporary arrangements by PMRDA must wait until after the Grand Cycle Tour, as speed breakers were removed for the event.
DCP (Traffic) Himmat Jadhav acknowledged the need for infrastructure, suggesting a zebra crossing and speed breakers would be considered, but also indicated limitations until work is finished. PMRDA Additional Commissioner Deepak Singla claimed no prior knowledge of accidents on the stretch but promised to look into the issue.
The death of Sunita Alkunte is a stark reminder that Pune's development is racing ahead on wheels, leaving its most vulnerable citizens behind. The community's plea is simple: their right to safe passage must no longer be an afterthought.
