The relentless monsoon rains have brought to light the frail state of infrastructure in Pune, causing significant damage and raising serious safety concerns. From perilous roads in the Hinjewadi-Wakad area to life-threatening accidents in Deccan, the city's resilience is being severely tested.
Deccan's Midnight Tragedy
In Pune's Deccan area, a speeding car broke through the divider on Garware Bridge and plunged into the subway below, near the statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj. The incident occurred at around 3 AM, when the driver, speeding from Jungli Maharaj Road towards Fergusson College Road, lost control of the vehicle. The car broke through the divider and fell straight down, with the impact deploying the car's airbags.
In Pune's Deccan area, a speeding car broke through the divider on Garware Bridge and fell down. The car plunged straight down from the small bridge near the statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.The driver sustained minor injuries.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident… pic.twitter.com/QgPaDXjZrH— Pune Mirror (@ThePuneMirror) July 16, 2024
Fortunately, the driver sustained only minor injuries and no one was present in the subway at that late hour. However, the accident has raised questions about whether the driver had consumed alcohol and highlighted the dangerous state of the roads. The identity of the driver remains unknown as investigations continue.
Service Road from Hinjewadi to Wakad: A Tale of Neglect
The service road from Hinjewadi to Wakad exemplifies the city's infrastructural neglect. Despite being part of the so-called Smart City, this road has become a hazard for commuters, especially during peak hours. The administration's year-round sloppy management and the temporary fixes applied only during the monsoon season have left this road in a deplorable state.
Service Road from Hinjewadi to Wakad: A Tale of Neglect and Temporary Fixes. This is the state of service road from Hinjewadi to Wakad... The administration is in deep sleep, the year-round sloppy management, and the temporary work done by the government machinery only during the… pic.twitter.com/Md0RCc8nmH— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) July 15, 2024
Citizens are urging administrative officers and public representatives to experience the ground reality by traveling on this road by two-wheeler between 4-8 PM. This stretch has become a nightmare, with citizens risking their lives daily to commute. The urgency for a permanent solution is palpable as the monsoon rains continue to exacerbate the road's condition.
BMC's Pothole Predicament
In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) faces similar challenges with potholes. Despite spending hundreds of crores of rupees on filling potholes and being quick to respond to complaints, the results have been underwhelming. Motorists and traffic police officials report that the fill-up jobs often last just a few hours before the potholes reappear, making the roads treacherous once again.
The monsoon season has laid bare the inadequacies of the civic body's efforts, highlighting the need for more durable solutions to ensure the safety of commuters.
As monsoons continue to batter the region, the infrastructural frailties of Pune and Mumbai are becoming more apparent. The urgent need for robust and long-lasting repairs cannot be overstated. With citizens' safety at stake, the authorities must move beyond temporary fixes and invest in sustainable infrastructure improvements.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
Ⓒ Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
