Watch: Elderly Pune Woman Blocks Bikers From Driving On Footpath So Pedestrians Can Walk Safely

Being a pedestrian on Indian roads is a struggle of its own. Bikers assume the footpath to be an extension of the road and drive on footpaths without a care in the world. Sadly, it is a common sight in Indian cities.

As a result of this, pedestrians not only have to look out for vehicles moving on the road while they're crossing, they also have to be vigilant on pavements because bikers tend to bump into them there as well.

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However, a Pune woman Nirmala Gokhale is putting her life at risk to ensure that motorists in her city do not bother the pedestrians and follow traffic rules.

Video of Nirmala Gokhale doing the job of a traffic police cop at a busy stretch in Canal Road near SNDT College, Pune, is going viral. She seems to have given up on the system and taking matters into her own hands she ensures that two-wheelers don¡¯t encroach upon footpaths.

This aunty from Pune is an inspiration to many. Well done Ma'am.
Shame on Bikers who ride on footpaths. It's sad to see senior citizens have to do the job what traffic police is supposed to do in our country.@nnatuTOI @mumbaimatterz @MNCDFbombay @mid_daypic.twitter.com/AB1TWmQPRW

¡ª Roads of Mumbai ?? (@RoadsOfMumbai) February 21, 2020

Gokhale can be seen standing vigilantly in the video and blocking the pavement every time a motorcycle rider tries to get on the pavement and get ahead of traffic. ¡°If you want to continue on the footpath you will have to hit me and go. Else get down and ride on the road,¡± she can be heard saying and the man complies. Many others can be seen joining her in the video.

People online lauded her action but at the same time prompted authorities to take strict action against people who flout traffic rules:

@CPPuneCity @PuneCityPolice @DGPMaharashtra Hope pune city CP will immediately take coercive action on such bikers & protect the snr citizens who are bravely enforcing the law. Would like to hear about the action taken too.

¡ª Sri Jain Mahajan (@SriJainMahajan) February 21, 2020

@MumbaiPolice When traffic dept closed it¡¯s eyes the citizens are on their own SHAMEFUL
It¡¯s the same situation in Mumbai
2 wheeler n autos running on wrong side , taking 4 people, riding on footpath Third class traffic situation

¡ª Ashu jain (@ashu_logic) February 21, 2020

We can¡¯t expect much from bikers who protest when helmet use is made compulsory in their city. No helmet, riding on the footpath and smiling shamelessly. Basic sense and responsibility is nowhere to be seen ?

¡ª Mr P (@trance_is_lif3) February 21, 2020

Get her a job in the police. She deserves it.

¡ª Ravi Rao (@ravisma) February 22, 2020

Shame on these people! Sad that poor woman has to come on the road to give them a lesson or two! Insanity

¡ª Havovi (@Havovi9) February 22, 2020

Kudos to this aunty !!! We all should unite against such bikers in Mumbai also

¡ª Urich (@KamathUrich) February 21, 2020

We should be ashamed as Indians..no civic sense and want the government to do things

¡ª Devesh Bhagat (@deveshb) February 21, 2020

Thanks to her, at least pedestrians are safe somewhere.