Civic body fines contractor for negligence in refilling potholes under `Pothole-free Pune city’ campaign
A show-cause notice was served to the Deputy Engineer and Junior Engineer supervising the pothole-filling work at the said location and since their explanations were found to be unsatisfactory, the Deputy Engineer and Junior Engineer concerned were suspended, said Pawaskar.
While the minister did not share the total number of accidents in 2024, The Indian Express earlier reported the figure at 4.73 lakh, excluding West Bengal.
Taking up ‘Pothole-free Pune city’ campaign to improve the traffic in the city, the Pune civic body has fined Rs one lakh on the contractor for negligence in pothole-filling work in Warje area while two civic engineers supervising the work were suspended for poor repairing of the roads.
“Municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has initiated the pothole-free Pune city campaign and is personally tracking the initiative. He is giving surprise visits where the work has been done. However, it was noticed in Warje that the pothole repair was of poor quality. So, immediate action was taken against the contractor and civic engineers,” said Annirudha Pawaskar, chief engineer and incharge of civic road department.
A fine of Rs one lakh has been imposed on the contractor while issuing strict warning that if such incidents happen again, then the contractor will be directly blacklisted, he said.
A show-cause notice was served to the Deputy Engineer and Junior Engineer supervising the pothole-filling work at the said location and since their explanations were found to be unsatisfactory, the Deputy Engineer and Junior Engineer concerned were suspended, said Pawaskar.
The municipal commissioner reviewed the patch-work of roads at Swargate, Tilak Road, Shukrawar Peth, Rashtrabhushan Chowk, Kashewadi, New Timber Market, and Ramoshi Gate. The road widening work at Shankarsheth Road and Seven Loves Chowk was also inspected. “The municipal commissioner directed that the roads in Swargate and nearby areas be developed to their full width. It will be possible to reduce the accident proneness in traffic by implementing the necessary improvements,” he said.
Ram said instructions were also given to ensure that the chambers for rainwater and the chambers for drinking water valves, wherever found, are made level with the road surface.
The Pune civic body has been facing criticism for the potholes surfacing on city roads across the city that are leading to accidents. The unevenness of roads with drainage chambers either below or above the road level has also caused accidents. The potholes surfacing during the monsoon on city roads are yet to be completely repaired.
Pawaskar said the administration has speeded up the pothole-refilling work across the city and presently the focus is on old city area where the narrow roads are also been repaired.
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