Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The city’s ongoing road repair and construction projects have come to a standstill due to unseasonal rainfall, leaving roads dug up and commuters struggling to navigate daily routes. Key arteries such as Agarkar Road, Apte Road, Pingalkar Road, Wanowrie, Narhe Road, and several internal roads are caught in a frustrating limbo partly constructed, waterlogged, and in some areas, even hazardous.
These projects, which include pothole repairs, pipeline installations, and resurfacing, were supposed to be completed before the arrival of the monsoon. However, erratic weather patterns and poor planning have collided to create chaos on Pune’s roads.
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.
