08 July,2014 09:11 AM IST | | Anuj Ismail
Officials say that most contractors assigned to construct safety components on roads failed to adhere to deadlines, increasing the number of fatal accidents in the city
The contractors working for the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for implementing safety components on roads should probably roll up their sleeves. The traffic department of police has recently booked around 12 contractors for failure to complete their work within stipulated time that resulted in road mishaps.
Lack of safety measures on roads is one of the major reasons for increasing road accidents in the city. File pic
Speaking to mid-day, Vishwas Pandhare, the deputy commissioner of police (Traffic), said that lack of safety measures on roads is one of the major reasons for the increasing number mishaps in the city; the number of fatal accidents increases drastically during monsoons.
"Every month, during our meeting with PMC officials, we raise the issue of addressing safety measures on priority basis. The civic body issues tenders to contractors, but most times, they fail to adhere to the deadline. Their negligence can cause more accidents in the city."
Pandhare said that this year they have booked around 12 contractors under sections 291 and 283 of Indian Penal Code, as they failed to install blinkers, reflectors, traffic signboards, or construct roads on time. "There has to be a system in place, otherwise the lacklustre attitude of contractors will not stop. The PMC should give the charge of following up with the contractors to the ward officer of the area," added Pandhare.
The traffic police have also appealed to citizens to inform authorities about any instances of pending civic work that causes inconvenience to them. Issues like open manholes, potholes on the road, loose gravel and sand, and incomplete roadwork that affects their mobility should be brought to their attention. The issues can also be posted on their Facebook page.
