Uncovered manholes of sewage lines posing a threat to commuters in Pimpri-Chinchwad, highlighted by this newspaper on Sunday has finally led to action. Municipal Commissioner Rajiv Jadhav on Wednesday issued show-cause notices to officers under whose jurisdiction open manholes were reported. Some were issued notices by 7 pm. The process of issuing notices to others was on, officials said. On Sunday, Pune Newsline had highlighted open manholes — most of their covers made of cement having been stolen — in Dapodi, Sangvi, Pradhikaran, Akurdi, Vallabhanagar and even near PCMC headquarters. The danger came to light after a man riding a motorcycle plunged into a manhole in Jawalkarvasti in Gurav Pimple on November 29. He suffered serious injuries and has recovered since. The manhole was in the middle of the road leading to the Krishna temple in Gurav Pimple area. The man, Ganesh Taware, said there was no danger or warning sign to indicate presence of the open manhole and he did not realise it until it was too late. The cover was stolen in the night, officials had explained. On Saturday (November 22) before publishing photographs (of the nine spots where the manholes were open) Newsline had sought the municipal commissioner’s view. He had promised to issue show-cause notices to “guilty” officials. However, since the Chief Minister was in town, he was busy for two days. On Wednesday, keeping his word. Jadhav directed PCMC city engineer Mahavir Kamble to issue show-cause notices to officials who did not ensure the manholes were properly covered. Kamble issued notices to three officials. He said they did not ensure that four manholes — under their jurisdiction — were properly covered. Executive engineer Gulabrao Dangat was issued notice for the Gurav Pimple incident seven days after the mishap. The PCMC chief said as for the rest of the pictures, the process of issuing notices was on. “Don’t worry, all officials will get the show-cause notice,” he said. Kamble said they have told officials to explain in three days why action should not be taken against them for dereliction of duty. “After that, the commissioner has to taken action against them,” he said. The PCMC chief also promised action related to encroachment of footpath and major chunk of Pune-Mumbai highway by second-hand car dealers, mechanics and street vendors. “Yes, by tomorrow, you can expect action,” he said. Jadhav said tendency among violators is that they return a few months after they are shifted. “The road encroachers are everywhere.after we take action, they return after a few months. I will tell divisional ward chiefs to keep a hawk’s eye on violators,” he said. On Monday, Newsline had highlighted how from Nigdi to Dapodi, the highway has been grabbed by squatters with PCMC and traffic police turning a blind eye. The traffic police in fact said it was PCMC’s job — which had drawn flak from civic activists who questioned the need for a traffic police.
