In a bid to enhance road safety and prevent accidents, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a comprehensive drive to address the issue of uneven drainage chamber covers on city roads. The initiative, which began on Tuesday, aims to repair over 1,500 uneven chambers across Pune and its surrounding villages by January 15. The uneven covers, found not only on drainage chambers but also on cable and rainwater channel covers, have long posed a risk to motorists, contributing to accidents and other health hazards.
PMC officials have stated that more than 50,000 drainage chambers are spread across the city, with over 1,500 identified as having significant alignment issues. This includes both urban areas and the villages under PMC’s jurisdiction. As part of the drive, the civic body has appointed a consultant to conduct a detailed survey, documenting the exact locations of these chambers, along with photographic evidence and GPS coordinates. The consultant’s report has been instrumental in pinpointing the specific chambers that need urgent attention.
On the first day of the campaign, more than 100 uneven covers were repaired. The city’s primary roads will be prioritised in the initial phase of the project. Despite previous annual efforts to lift and level chamber covers before the monsoon season, these fixes have often proved temporary. This new, focused drive aims to bring a lasting solution by ensuring a systematic approach to the issue. Notably, the PMC has not allocated a separate budget for this initiative, with funding being drawn from the existing road department budget.
The project highlights the city’s commitment to improving road infrastructure and safety for both pedestrians and motorists. As urbanisation continues to increase in Pune, such initiatives play a key role in ensuring that public safety measures keep pace with growing traffic volumes and urban demands. By addressing these critical issues, PMC aims to reduce the risk of accidents caused by uneven road surfaces, making Pune a safer place for all its residents.
