Rainwater and mud have made the Dalaj No. 2 underpass on the Pune-Solapur National Highway hazardous for motorists, with two-wheelers reportedly skidding and villagers demanding immediate drainage and cleaning. The waterlogging followed rainfall two days ago and has disrupted access for vehicles using the underpass.
The underpass is used by motorists travelling towards Kalas, Junction, Walchandnagar, Natepute and nearby villages. After the highway was widened to four lanes, the space available for vehicles to turn was reduced, leading many drivers to use the underpass for local movement.
According to the report, rainwater has accumulated inside the underpass along with soil carried into the passage. The resulting mud has made the surface slippery, causing two-wheelers to lose balance and increasing the risk of accidents. Villagers have sought the immediate removal of the standing water and mud to prevent further incidents.
The underpass is also located about 50 feet from a gas agency. Residents who travel to the agency to collect cylinders are facing difficulties because of the water and muddy surface. The affected passage therefore serves not only through traffic but also as an access route for people reaching nearby local facilities.
Villagers have alleged that the National Highways Authority has failed to respond to the dangerous conditions despite its patrol vehicles regularly operating on the highway. The complaint raises concerns about how quickly hazards inside local-access infrastructure are identified and addressed after rainfall.
Residents are demanding that the water be pumped out, the mud be cleared and a permanent drainage arrangement be created at the underpass. The requests are focused both on removing the immediate obstruction and on preventing the passage from repeatedly becoming unsafe after rain.
The reported problem highlights the safety implications of underpasses built into widened highways, particularly where local traffic has limited alternative turning space. Until the accumulated water and mud are removed, motorists using the Dalaj No. 2 underpass face a slippery and obstructed route, especially two-wheeler users and people travelling to nearby villages and the gas agency.
