Pune construction encroachment around the Mrityunjay Temple area in Kothrud has left residents dealing with dust pollution, traffic congestion, damaged footpaths and concerns over pedestrian safety, according to a report by Civic Mirror. Residents have asked the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to clear public roads and footpaths being used for construction activity.
Construction materials, heavy machinery and workers’ vehicles are reportedly being placed on roads and footpaths near large projects involving a mall, hotel and commercial premises. Residents said cement and concrete dust has spread through the area, while heavy vehicles continue to move through the residential locality, including during busy periods.
The disruption follows earlier work on an underpass, during which the road was closed for about six months. Residents had expected conditions to improve after it reopened, but said congestion and pedestrian difficulties have continued because of ongoing construction. School vans, two-wheelers, motorists and pedestrians are among those affected, according to the report.
Civic Mirror said its representatives observed substantial cement and concrete dust on the road during a site visit. Water was sprayed after filming began, apparently to prevent dust from rising. Residents also pointed to broken or obstructed footpaths, forcing pedestrians to walk on the carriageway alongside construction traffic.
Resident Ashok Medankar said large cranes are used daily to transport steel rods along the road, where children, senior citizens and two-wheeler riders also travel. He questioned who would be responsible if a crash occurred, saying a residential road was being used as an extension of a private construction site.
Another resident, Anita Deshmukh, said a tea stall and parked two-wheelers occupied part of the footpath. Ganesh Shinde said the reopening of the road after six months had raised hopes of relief, but dust, heavy equipment, damaged footpaths and encroachments had kept the difficulties in place.
The report also described an open container placed on the road with long steel rods extending beyond its edges. The container was said to be obstructing traffic and creating a potential hazard for motorists. Civic Mirror further reported that some sections of the construction site lacked protective walls, while work was being carried out on upper floors.
Residents also raised environmental concerns. Nikhil Medhane said cement dust from the construction was being inhaled by people in the area and alleged that several trees had been cut. He also said cement had accumulated around the trunks of remaining trees, potentially affecting their roots. He stressed that residents did not oppose development but wanted construction to proceed without endangering public health, the environment or safety.
Yogesh Bhosale, an inspector with the PMC’s building-permission department, said the contractor would be sent a letter regarding pollution caused by concrete dust. He said complaints indicated that residents and commuters were experiencing respiratory discomfort and that the contractor would be directed to take immediate dust-control measures. Bhosale added that road and footpath complaints would require follow-up with the relevant civic departments.
Contractor Balaji Kavthale said five contractors were working in the area on separate assignments, including the underpass and a municipal bridge being built over a drain near the D Block of the Kirloskar building. Representing KEC International, a company from the RPG Group, Kavthale said water was sprayed on the road daily, air-quality index display boards had been installed and construction work was stopped at 9 pm under the PMC’s revised guidelines. He also said police marshals and civic officials monitored compliance and claimed that conditions had improved by about 75 per cent over the previous six months.
