Early rains disrupt roadwork across Pune

“Agarkar Road has been dug up for pipeline work since early April. The situation has gone from bad to worse with the rains,” said Prathamesh Gujar, a college student who commutes daily via the stretch. “This road connects to FC Road and has several schools and colleges nearby. The traffic jams have become unbearable, and the rainy weather has only made it worse for students and office-goers.”

In Wanowrie, residents are equally agitated over the stalled repair work. Anubhav Sharma, who lives near Sacred heart town in Wanowrie, said, “It’s been over six months since the road was dug up for drainage work. The patch is now flooded, muddy, and impossible for two-wheelers. The traffic issue is insane. We feel neglected, there’s no signage, no timeline, and no official communication.”

According to Sahebrao Dandge, superintendent engineer of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Road Department, the work has been temporarily halted due to weather-related challenges.

“The rain has started earlier than normal. This has affected the ongoing repair work of roads. It has to be kept as it is, as work can’t be done in the rain,” he said. He further added, “Citizens will have some inconvenience, but that will be short-term as the work would be completed as soon as the rain stops.”

While PMC assures speedy completion post-rainfall, residents remain skeptical due to the already-delayed pace of work.

As monsoon approaches in full swing, the clock is ticking for authorities to act decisively. A coordinated effort and clear communication are crucial not just to finish the pending work, but to restore the city’s fractured mobility network and public trust.