Punekars Slam Road Digging As PMC Roadworks Turn Footpaths Into Hazards

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Road Department has started the repair and maintenance of roads before the onset of the monsoon. Most of the roads in Pune can be dug by the civic body.

Pedestrians are facing hassles while walking. In one of the similar cases, a small stone mound, which looks like a small hill, is erected at Dattawadi Chowk near the Mhatre Bridge signal, and the civic body has turned an ordinary footpath into a miniature trekking trail.

Vivek Velankar, a social activist, said, “Heartfelt thanks to the authorities for giving us this unexpected trekking experience”, while carefully navigating the uneven terrain.

Smita Gughe, a resident, said, “It seems PMC is making bunkers on roads for civilians by digging up the roads amid the India-Pakistan conflict. The roads at various locations are being dug up, which is creating a lot of hurdles and is also causing traffic in the area.”

Shikha Mishra, another resident from Karve Nagar, said, “The mound at Mhatre Bridge signal obstructs safe passage for walkers and cyclists, and it is raising questions about the quality of roadwork and the department’s attention to pedestrian safety. I am urging the authorities to replace this rocky detour with a safe, accessible walkway before someone gets hurt.”

PMC officials said, “The repair work is going on at various locations across Pune, and we have informed the contractors already. The area will be cleared soon.”