With civic elections on the horizon, the dismal state of Pune's road infrastructure has catapulted to the forefront of voter concerns. Across the city's neighbourhoods, residents are demanding concrete accountability from their elected corporators, citing years of neglect that have turned daily commutes into hazardous and stressful ordeals.
Daily Commutes Turned into Nightmares
The city's extensive road network of over 2,000 km, managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), is in a severe state of disrepair. Citizens report that potholes, frequent utility digging, and poor drainage routinely cause major traffic bottlenecks, reducing average peak-hour speeds to a crawl of around 21 kmph. For Varun Yeole, a 26-year-old resident of Bavdhan, the impact is personal and financial. "A pothole deformed my bike's wheel rim," he says, highlighting how poor road quality directly damages vehicles.
The problem extends beyond mere inconvenience to affect safety and productivity. Sanjeevani Jain, who lives on Shankar Sheth Road, describes how a supposed 20-minute journey often doubles in time. "It affects productivity and safety, especially for two-wheelers and pedestrians," she states, echoing a widespread call for durable repairs over temporary patchwork.
Pedestrians: The Forgotten Citizens
Perhaps the most vulnerable are Pune's pedestrians. Ankita Sanghvi, principal of Innocent Times School in Aundh, delivers a stark indictment: "Pune practically has no concept of footpaths, and pedestrians have no value." She points out rampant encroachment by hawkers, like on Fergusson College Road, and the dangerous practice of two-wheelers using footpaths during jams. The infrastructure for those on foot is critically lacking, with broken pathways, open drainage covers, and a absence of safe crossings, making it risky for senior citizens and daily walkers alike.
Accidents linked to poor maintenance and sanitation are not uncommon. Sonal Rathod, 42, met with an accident on the Mandai-Market Yard Road because rotting fruit and vegetable waste was not cleared, creating a slippery surface. Such incidents underscore the direct correlation between civic failure and public safety.
Where Does the Money Go? Accountability and Corruption in Focus
This persistent crisis exists despite the PMC allocating hundreds of crores of rupees annually for road construction and maintenance. Activists and veterans point to a deep-rooted system failure. Civic activist Ajay Aggarwal of the Top Management Consulting Foundation (TMCF) identifies a lack of ownership. "Funds are available, but priorities are driven by vote-bank politics rather than systematic improvement," he argues, noting that no corporator or official takes responsibility for roads and signals.
Veteran advocate Shrikant Shirole, with five decades of observing Pune's development, puts the blame squarely on corruption. He contrasts today's shoddy work with the quality of Jungli Maharaj Road, built in 1975 with hot-mix technology, which remains largely pothole-free. "If Rs 15 lakh is sanctioned and only half is spent on construction while the rest goes as kickbacks, you cannot expect quality," Shirole asserts. He stresses the need for corporators to act as trustees of public money with a long-term vision, emphasizing that "corruption has no dividend."
As election campaigning intensifies, the message from Pune's residents is unequivocal. They seek representatives who will demonstrate genuine ownership and ensure infrastructure that lasts well beyond the election cycle. The condition of roads and footpaths is set to be a decisive factor at the ballot box, with voters demanding accountability for years of neglect and promised solutions that materialize into safe, smooth commutes.
