Pune Residents Voice Frustration Over Neglected Road Infrastructure
Daily commuters in Pune are expressing significant dissatisfaction with the poor condition of numerous roads that were excluded from recent repair initiatives tied to a major cycling event held last month. Citizens are now urgently calling upon the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to prioritize repair work on these overlooked stretches to ensure safer and smoother travel across the city.
Selective Road Repairs Spark Public Outcry
Ahead of the cycling event, the civic body undertook extensive repair and resurfacing work covering approximately 75 kilometers of roads throughout Pune. This effort included key arterial routes such as JM Road, FC Road, SB Road, University Road, Karve Road, and Tilak Road. However, commuters argue that the administration failed to provide adequate attention to the maintenance of other vital roads that serve a large portion of the population daily.
Swapnil Patil, a frequent traveler to Shivajinagar, highlighted the ongoing issues with many roads that still offer bumpy rides due to uneven surfaces and improperly aligned drainage chamber lids. "It is commendable that the administration repaired key roads, but what about the other roads which are used by a significant number of people every day?" Patil emphasized the urgent need for attention on a stretch from FC Road towards Model Colony. He further noted, "Similarly, Lakaki Road, which connects Ganeshkhind Road to SB Road, was not repaired properly. There are numerous patchworks and deep chamber lids, causing considerable problems for bikers."
Widespread Complaints from Various City Areas
Mahesh Ladkat, who regularly uses roads near Pune railway station, reported that potholes on several stretches are causing significant hardships for commuters. "The administration should level the chambers on all roads to prevent accidents and vehicle damage." Ladkat pointed to a specific area near the RTO, where patchwork completed just a few months ago has already begun to deteriorate. "The drainage chambers are not matching the road surface, and there are noticeable gaps between the road and footpaths. We strongly suggest that PMC conduct a comprehensive survey of all road stretches to identify and address these issues systematically."
PMC's Response and Ongoing Initiatives
Officials from the PMC's road department have acknowledged the concerns and outlined their plans in response. In a recently held meeting, a target was set to repair at least 50 chamber lids per week, alongside efforts to level carriageways across the city. An official stated, "A review of road works was held recently. The local units and deputy engineers from all areas have been instructed to commence repair work promptly to alleviate commuter difficulties."
Residents from Newly Merged Areas Seek Inclusion
Residents from newly merged areas of Pune have voiced their desire for the administration to include roads from their localities in future events like the cycling event, which would facilitate much-needed repairs. Sagar Satav from Manjari Road expressed his concerns, stating, "Many roads in our areas lack regular maintenance, and widening projects have been pending for an extended period. Inclusion in such events could expedite these essential improvements."
Civic officials have assured that all road stretches repaired for the cycling event will be maintained by contractors and the PMC to ensure their longevity. However, the broader call from commuters underscores a pressing need for a more inclusive and comprehensive approach to road maintenance across all parts of Pune.
