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!
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The Green Farewell initiative conducted at the location is an ongoing campaign that aims to promote eco-friendly cremation practices among citizens. The campaign encourages individuals to opt for a sustainable alternative to traditional cremation, which often contributes to deforestation and air pollution. The engagement with the citizens was very encouraging, as the campaign garnered a good response, with 130 signatures pledging their commitment to this initiative.
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We also interacted with citizens to further the process of a social audit of PMPML, asking them for specific demands regarding their bus commute. These demands will be collated and communicated to the PMPML through a Jan Sunwai to be held early next year.
Participants expressed that this one-day event creates a sense of ownership over the roads for those who enjoy walking and for children who love to play in the streets. Many feel that this vibrant experience should occur more frequently.
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