The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced the completion of 900 pothole repairs and road resurfacing works across the city over the past two weeks, as part of its city-wide initiative to ensure smoother and safer commutes. While this marks a notable step toward improving urban road infrastructure, civic groups and commuters have urged independent audits to verify the quality and durability of these repairs.
The campaign, launched in November, targeted potholes across key arterial roads, including work on drain and stormwater chamber leveling. Despite PMC officials highlighting that repairs were carried out primarily during night hours to minimise traffic disruption, activists remain concerned about the longevity of the fixes. “Road surfaces often reappear damaged within days of repair,” said a civic observer. “It is essential that PMC commissions third-party audits to ensure contractors meet quality benchmarks.” An official from the PMC’s road department confirmed internal monitoring mechanisms are in place. Daily photographic reports from ward offices are being collected to track the progress of repairs, while contractors are held accountable for re-repairing roads where potholes recur. The official also emphasised that unauthorised digging by private entities for cable laying is being monitored closely, and strict permission protocols are enforced to prevent unnecessary road damage.
Experts in urban transport and infrastructure caution that patchwork repairs, if substandard, can quickly deteriorate, negating public investment and increasing maintenance costs. “Proper resurfacing is critical,” noted a city-based transport consultant. “Without strict adherence to technical standards, roads will not sustain the traffic load and climate stresses typical of Pune.” Residents have shared similar observations, citing instances where newly tarred sections peeled off within hours, highlighting gaps in oversight. Beyond immediate civic concerns, the issue underscores a broader need for sustainable urban infrastructure. Roads in dense Indian cities like Pune are critical for mobility, emergency services, and economic activity. Durable, well-monitored repairs can reduce carbon-intensive repeated construction, minimise traffic disruptions, and contribute to safer, more equitable urban mobility.
PMC officials have assured that continuous internal monitoring and strict contractual obligations will remain in place, but activists stress that independent verification remains essential. Civic engagement and transparency, they argue, are key to ensuring that Pune’s roads are not only pothole-free temporarily but resilient over the long term.
PMC Fixes 900 Potholes In Pune Activists Demand Independent Quality Audit Immediately
