Pune: For months, residents of Baner-Balewadi have been dealing with severe traffic congestion and deteriorating infrastructure, making them afraid to step out of their homes.
Continuous rains have worsened the situation, creating potholes, garbage heaps, sunken manholes, broken footpaths, and overflowing sewage on the roads. To avoid these issues, residents prefer to stay indoors, but frequent power outages add to their frustration.
The Baner-Mhalunge Road, known as a VIP road and the gateway to western Pune, is currently under repair due to the Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro project, leading to narrow roads and constant traffic jams.
Large potholes caused by continuous rain are causing severe backaches for commuters. Loose gravel from heavy vehicles poses a slipping hazard for pedestrians.
In Balewadi, one side of the road opposite the SKP campus is completely submerged, forcing everyone to use the other side, leading to massive traffic jams, especially with three schools nearby.
Municipal officers provide only temporary fixes when contacted, and residents claim that PMRDA and metro officials are indifferent to the road and pothole issues.
Residents demand immediate action from the administration. Everywhere in Baner-Balewadi, roads are in tatters. The quality of pothole repairs by the municipality and metro is poor, with potholes reappearing within a few days, according to local resident Mridula Chimurkar.
Makarand Wadekar, Deputy Engineer of the Municipal Corporation's Road Department, stated, "Due to continuous rain, we are filling potholes with cold mix bags and gravel. Once the rain stops, we will asphalt the roads."
Girish Dapkekar, Assistant Commissioner of the Aundh-Baner Regional Office, mentioned, "The waste management system is operational, and the garbage issue will be resolved soon. The health department is spraying insecticides to combat dengue. Residents can contact us with complaints, and they will be resolved promptly."
Attempts to contact PMRDA Chief Engineer Riaz Pathan were unsuccessful due to his illness, and other officials could not be reached.