The Jawaharlal Nehru Road stretch between Modern Chowk and Power House in Rasta Peth has turned hazardous for daily commuters after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) began laying new water pipelines and left the area dug up and debris-strewn. The absence of barricades or clear diversions has turned the busy route into a risk zone for motorists and pedestrians, raising serious safety and accountability concerns.
The stretch, a crucial link connecting multiple arterial roads, is now littered with broken concrete and stagnant water. The unfinished work has forced two-wheeler riders to manoeuvre through uneven, slippery surfaces, especially perilous during the ongoing pre-winter drizzle. Locals have expressed frustration, alleging that the PMC’s lack of planning and coordination between departments has once again compromised public safety. According to officials, the ongoing project is part of the PMC Water Supply Department’s initiative to upgrade underground pipeline infrastructure. However, delays in road reinstatement have sparked criticism among commuters and shop owners. Several residents complained that the dust from the excavation work has disrupted daily life and business activity. Local traders noted that the debris and constant dust have made the area nearly inaccessible, with many customers avoiding the route altogether.
Urban experts have called for greater interdepartmental coordination to prevent overlapping works and repeated digging of freshly laid roads—a recurring issue in Pune’s infrastructure management. “This lack of synchronisation between the road and water supply departments reflects systemic inefficiency,” noted a civic infrastructure expert. “It not only wastes public resources but also puts lives at risk.” Civic officials from the PMC Road Department confirmed that the water supply division is currently executing the work and has assured that the road surface will be restored once the project concludes. However, residents remain sceptical, given past delays in similar projects. The civic body has stated that the entire road will be reconstructed with an integrated cycle track as part of its sustainable mobility initiative, but commuters say that the immediate concern should be to ensure safe passage and proper barricading.
Environmental advocates argue that Pune’s urban roadwork practices must evolve towards sustainable, citizen-first planning. “Every infrastructure upgrade must be balanced with public safety and ecological consideration,” said an urban mobility expert. “Leaving open trenches and construction debris not only endangers lives but also increases air pollution and hampers the city’s vision of becoming pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.” As the city’s road and water departments continue to carry out overlapping projects, Rasta Peth’s dug-up stretch has become symbolic of the challenges Pune faces in achieving coordinated, sustainable, and citizen-centric urban growth. Until restoration begins, commuters continue to navigate daily risks through an obstacle course of mud, debris, and negligence.
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