On the occasion of World Car-Free Day on 22nd September, a discussion on the topic “Mobility and Pune’s Core City (Peth Area)” was jointly organized by Centre for Environment Education (CEE) and Parisar at Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal on Monday 22nd September.

It was a part of series of initiatives being taken by Parisar and CEE about mobility in core city area of Pune. Pune city’s development plan talks about reducing private vehicles in the core city, considering diverse stakeholders and their needs a participatory dialogue is required to find balanced solutions. Over the past few months, CEE and Parisar have engaged with local stakeholders — including shopkeepers, vendors, schools, and colleges — through focused group discussions and individual meetings.

Pedestrian Day was observed in Pune for the 4th time in a row on December 11th on Laxmi Road, where people could enjoy a stretch of the street without vehicles from 8am to 8pm. This event offered a walkable, breathable, and enjoyable atmosphere. Parisar displayed several informative panels showcasing examples from other cities like Delhi and Amritsar, illustrating the transformation of streets, before and after pedestrianization. The exhibit also included a 'stress map' of the core city roads, to highlight the congested areas in the Peth region and the more walkable parts of the neighbourhood. As part of our efforts to gather community voices through focus group discussions with various stakeholders, we got more support for our ongoing campaign. Nearly 178 citizens signed up for the discussion on reducing traffic congestion and improving public health in the heart of Pune!

The Peth area in the heart of Pune is a hub of historical and religious significance, but it is increasingly challenged by vehicular congestion and navigational difficulties. As an organisation we are committed to sustainable development, and we recognize the urgent need for efforts focused on reducing congestion and pollution in the core city.

To address these pressing issues, we have partnered with the Centre for Environment and Education (CEE). The challenges surrounding congestion and pollution affect not only residents but also various stakeholders, including hawkers, shopkeepers, rickshaw drivers, and educational institutions. To gain better insights into these concerns, we conducted focus group discussions with auto-rickshaw drivers and representatives from local schools and colleges.

Parisar participated in the recent Pedestrian Day celebrations organised by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), collaborating with various organisations such as ITDP and Save Pune Traffic Movement. The event, held on 11 December 2023, transformed a stretch of Laxmi Road, from Nagarkar Taleem Chowk to Garud Ganpati Chowk, into a haven for pedestrians, commerce, and exhibitions, from 10 am to 7 pm. Our exhibition stood out, featuring a photo gallery showcasing successful case studies of streets across India that transitioned from motor-centric to people-centric, encouraging Punekars to reimagine and revive their streets.