Thane: The installation of spike barriers or tyre killers on the busy Shivaji Path road leading to Thane West railway station seems to have drawn flak from locals following frequent instances of unwary pedestrians suffering injuries instead.
The Thane traffic police and municipal corporation announced plans to install these tyre killers at prominent locations last September, replicating the initiative implemented in Mumbai to discourage no-entry and wrong lane driving on prominent roads. Officials explained the uni-directional spikes mounted at an angle on a rumbler were aimed to deflate tyres of vehicles moving in the wrong direction.
The traffic police last week installed the unit at Shivaji Path to gauge the response, but locals and motorists pointed out that while wrong-side driving stopped, the spikes posed an injury risk to unwary pedestrians.
“The Shivaji Path is close to the station and witnesses huge pedestrian traffic that often spills over onto the roads due to inadequate footpath width. Several unwary residents walking on the narrow roads and unaware of the new installations suffered injuries over the last few days,” a local resident said, refusing to be identified.
“The initiative is welcome but needs to be modified to serve the actual purpose. The corporation should first provide wider and encroachment-free footpaths so that pedestrians don’t walk on the roads. I am planning to write to the authorities seeking a modification,” said Mitesh Shah, businessman and BJP activist operating from Naupada.
Thane Congress functionary Rahul Pingale said deploying a team of policemen at such spots could also serve as a better option instead of letting unwary pedestrians suffer injuries.
The Thane traffic police said they will take a decision on the system after analysing the response. “We have not received any complaints yet but will surely act if the affected citizens approach us. We have already installed cautionary boards at the spot alerting pedestrians of the spikes and are also encouraging pedestrians to avoid walking on the roads,” said Pankaj Shirsat, Deputy Police Commissioner, Thane Traffic.
Thane: The installation of spike barriers or tyre killers on the busy Shivaji Path road leading to Thane West railway station seems to have drawn flak from locals following frequent instances of unwary pedestrians suffering injuries instead.
The Thane traffic police and municipal corporation announced plans to install these tyre killers at prominent locations last September, replicating the initiative implemented in Mumbai to discourage no-entry and wrong lane driving on prominent roads. Officials explained the uni-directional spikes mounted at an angle on a rumbler were aimed to deflate tyres of vehicles moving in the wrong direction.
The traffic police last week installed the unit at Shivaji Path to gauge the response, but locals and motorists pointed out that while wrong-side driving stopped, the spikes posed an injury risk to unwary pedestrians.
“The Shivaji Path is close to the station and witnesses huge pedestrian traffic that often spills over onto the roads due to inadequate footpath width. Several unwary residents walking on the narrow roads and unaware of the new installations suffered injuries over the last few days,” a local resident said, refusing to be identified.
“The initiative is welcome but needs to be modified to serve the actual purpose. The corporation should first provide wider and encroachment-free footpaths so that pedestrians don’t walk on the roads. I am planning to write to the authorities seeking a modification,” said Mitesh Shah, businessman and BJP activist operating from Naupada.
Thane Congress functionary Rahul Pingale said deploying a team of policemen at such spots could also serve as a better option instead of letting unwary pedestrians suffer injuries.
The Thane traffic police said they will take a decision on the system after analysing the response. “We have not received any complaints yet but will surely act if the affected citizens approach us. We have already installed cautionary boards at the spot alerting pedestrians of the spikes and are also encouraging pedestrians to avoid walking on the roads,” said Pankaj Shirsat, Deputy Police Commissioner, Thane Traffic.