Pune: Recent downpours have exacerbated an ongoing issue for residents of the NIBM area, including NIBM Annexe Road, Wanowrie, and Salunke Vihar Road, as potholes reemerge and jeopardise road safety. Despite assurances from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that approximately 3,000 potholes had been repaired across the city, locals argue that the situation remains dire, with little visible improvement.
Residents have voiced their frustration, highlighting the continued neglect of road maintenance. A resident from Rose Parade Housing Society, located off Salunke Vihar Road, expressed concerns over the persistent potholes and uneven stormwater drain covers that pose significant safety risks. “Potholes have been an issue for months with no apparent action from PMC staff. With the current rains, our safety is increasingly at risk,” the resident lamented. Another local, who resides along Bapusaheb Kedari Marg, echoed similar frustrations, questioning the credibility of PMC’s claims. “Despite the assurances, the condition of the roads has only worsened. The entire stretch up to Kedari petrol pump remains filled with potholes, endangering our lives,” he said.
In response to these concerns, the head of PMC’s road department recently reported via WhatsApp that a substantial number of potholes—2,742—had been addressed, along with 387 patches intended to level the roads. However, the department admitted that not all potholes could be identified or fixed immediately and assured that repairs would continue as new issues arose. The situation on NIBM Annexe Road, particularly from SM Ghule Patil Road to Raheja Circle, has deteriorated again after a brief period of improvement. Despite earlier actions taken following media coverage, the road’s condition has reverted to its previous state, prompting further complaints from residents of the Ganga Kingston Housing Society about the state of arterial roads plagued by sewage overflow and potholes.
A junior engineer from the PMC road department has assured that work on a new concrete road stretch from Raheja Circle towards Cloud 9 is progressing, with completion expected by the end of August. Subsequently, efforts will shift to the opposite side of the road, with a projected two-month timeline for readiness. As the monsoon continues, the repeated failures in road maintenance are intensifying public dissatisfaction and raising concerns over road safety. The ongoing issues underscore a critical need for more effective and timely responses from the PMC to prevent further deterioration and ensure safer roads for Pune’s residents.
