The Pune Traffic Police have requested the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to prioritize the repair of key roads ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city on September 27. This comes in the wake of complaints following President Draupadi Murmu’s visit earlier this month, where her vehicle encountered severe potholes that hampered her travel experience. Frustrated by the poor road conditions, President Murmu’s office reportedly sent a letter to the Pune Police expressing dissatisfaction with the state of the roads.
In light of these concerns, Pune Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) G Sridhar wrote a formal letter to PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale on September 13, requesting immediate road repairs, particularly along the routes designated for VVIP travel. Sridhar emphasized that the repairs should focus on areas affected by ongoing metro construction and ensure the roads are pothole-free for the Prime Minister’s visit.
A crucial video conference was held with Maharashtra’s chief secretary to address the issue, and the Pune Traffic Police are closely monitoring the repair work. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Amol Zende stated, “We conducted a joint meeting with PMC officials on Friday and inspected the roads. Additionally, our officials carried out spot visits on Saturday to assess the condition and will inform PMC about the necessary repairs.”
According to PMC’s chief superintendent of the road department, Aniruddha Pawaskar, repair work has already begun on key roads, including Ganeshkhind Road and Airport Road. “We are also focusing on repairing SP College Road and Sarasbaug Road,” Pawaskar added.
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has also stepped in, with Metropolitan Commissioner Yogesh Mhase issuing a notice to Pune ITCT Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), the entity responsible for the roads under a use-transfer agreement. The PMRDA is ensuring that all necessary road repairs are completed in time for the Prime Minister’s visit, particularly along the routes impacted by metro construction.
The urgency surrounding road repairs highlights the city’s infrastructure challenges, especially when it comes to hosting VVIP visits. The authorities are working swiftly to ensure that Pune’s roads are ready and safe for Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming tour of the city.
Sources By Agencies
