Residents of Pune's Kondhwa and NIBM Road areas have expressed concern over the possibility of severe waterlogging at Tanaji Malusare Chowk near Jyoti Hotel this monsoon. They allege that a recently dug-up stretch at the junction for stormwater drainage work remains unrepaired even as the rainy season is likely to start soon.
Key Junction Faces Flooding Risk
The junction, a key traffic intersection connecting Kondhwa, NIBM Road, Undri, Yewalewadi, Pisoli and parts of Mohammadwadi with the city, has long been identified as a waterlogging hotspot during the monsoon. Residents fear that the unrepaired road surface could worsen flooding and traffic congestion if restoration work is not completed before heavy rains arrive.
Locals pointed out that the same junction witnessed knee-deep waterlogging during the unseasonal rain spell on May 22, disrupting vehicular movement and inconveniencing pedestrians. “Water accumulates at the chowk even during moderate rainfall. With the road dug up and no repairs in sight, commuters are likely to face greater difficulties this monsoon,” said Roshan Yadav, a regular commuter.
Excavation Completed, But Repairs Delayed
Residents said the excavation work was completed around two weeks ago, but barricades continue to occupy portions of the road while repair work is yet to begin. “The work appears to be over, but the road remains in the same condition. Barricades have been placed around chambers and there is no indication of when the stretch will be restored,” said Fiza Shaikh, a resident of Kondhwa.
Another resident, Taher Khan of Undri, said the stretch from the chowk towards Lullanagar flyover gets flooded almost every monsoon. “The junction is already prone to waterlogging. If repairs are delayed further, the situation could worsen and affect nearby shops and commercial establishments as well,” he said.
Traffic Bottlenecks Due to Narrowed Carriageway
Residents also complained that the unrepaired stretch has narrowed the carriageway, resulting in traffic bottlenecks during peak hours. “A part of one lane has become unusable because of the excavation and barricades. During morning and evening rush hours, traffic queues extend for a distance,” said a local resident.
PMC Cites Bitumen Shortage, Assures Repairs Soon
Civic officials, however, said the delay in road restoration was due to a shortage of bitumen and assured that repairs would begin shortly. Ashalata Salvi, deputy engineer with Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) drainage department, said the road was excavated to replace an existing 450-mm stormwater drain with a larger 600-mm line to improve carrying capacity and address recurring flooding at the location. “The stormwater pipeline work has been completed. Road restoration is pending because of a shortage of bitumen. We expect the material to be available within the next two to three days, after which repair work will commence,” Salvi told TOI.
She said the old stormwater line was found to be heavily choked during the replacement work, which contributed significantly to waterlogging at the junction. “We are hopeful that the upgraded drainage system will help prevent flooding at this location,” she added.
Additional Measures Planned
According to Salvi, the flooding reported last month occurred on the opposite side of the road. To address the issue, PMC plans to create additional openings in the divider so that rainwater can flow more efficiently into the stormwater drainage network. She added that the existing cross-drainage system was inadequate and corrective measures would be undertaken soon.
