Construction activity near Mrutyunjay Mandir in Pune’s Kothrud has left residents dealing with cement dust, blocked footpaths, heavy vehicles and traffic disruption, according to complaints reported by Pune Mirror. The concerns have emerged after the area experienced a six-month road closure for underpass construction.
Residents said construction machinery, building materials and workers’ motorcycles were occupying parts of public roads and footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk alongside moving traffic. They also raised concerns about cranes transporting bundles of metal rods through the neighbourhood during the day, when school vans, two-wheelers and other commuters use the road.
Ashok Medankar, a local resident, said the movement of heavy equipment was particularly frightening when children, senior citizens and two-wheeler riders were nearby. Anita Deshmukh said construction workers had been using the footpath for a tea stall and motorcycle parking, leaving pedestrians with little space to walk safely.
Other residents linked the disruption to dust and the condition of the surrounding streets. Ganesh Shinde said residents had expected relief after the road reopened but continued to face dust, damaged footpaths, heavy machinery and encroachments. Nikhil Medane alleged that cement dust was affecting the area and said several trees had been cut, while cement had accumulated around the bases of some remaining trees.
Pune Municipal Corporation Building Permission Department inspector Yogesh Bhosale said the civic body would issue a letter to the contractor regarding complaints about air pollution caused by concrete dust. He said the contractor would be directed to take precautionary measures immediately. Bhosale added that complaints related to footpaths and roads would have to be handled by the respective PMC departments.
Balaji Kavthale, the site contractor representing KEC International, said five contractors were working on different projects in the area, including the underpass and a PMC bridge project over a nala near Kirloskar Building’s D Block. He said water was sprinkled daily to control concrete dust, illuminated air-quality boards displayed pollution levels, and construction activity stopped at 9 pm under revised PMC guidelines. He also said police marshals monitored compliance and civic officials conducted periodic inspections.
Kavthale said conditions had improved by nearly 75% over the previous six months and that footpath stalls would be shifted inside the project premises. He said weekend construction was permitted from 6 am to 5 pm, while weekday work and heavy vehicle movement faced no restrictions between 11 am and 5 pm in Kothrud. He added that the Kirloskar-owned project had reached 16 completed floors out of a planned 20.
The report also described an open container parked on the road with long metal rods protruding from it, creating an obstruction and potential hazard for passing traffic. Kavthale said the road and surrounding inconvenience remained concerns, while construction was proceeding under PMC guidelines and safety regulations. The PMC’s proposed letter to the contractor is the next stated administrative step on the dust complaints.
