Pune: The Velhe-Nasrapur road, a vital link between several villages, has been facing severe deterioration due to numerous potholes that have led to a series of accidents.
Despite persistent complaints from local residents and representatives, the road's condition had been largely neglected until recently. On Monday, September 2nd, the Public Works Department (PWD) finally commenced the much-needed repair work, but it quickly became a matter of public concern when the quality of the work came under scrutiny.
The repair work, which involved filling the potholes with ready-mix concrete, was carried out during heavy rainfall. As a result, the concrete, which was too thin and mixed with water already present in the potholes, failed to set properly.
Vehicles passing over the freshly filled potholes caused the concrete to disintegrate into mud, rendering the repairs ineffective. Witnesses observed the poor quality of the work but hesitated to confront the officials or contractors involved.
However, the situation took a turn when local BJP workers from Rajgad Taluka, who had received information about the ongoing substandard work, arrived at the scene in Malegaon village.
Led by former BJP Youth Wing President Raju Renuse and Pune District BJP Youth Wing Vice President Avinash Bhosale, the workers confronted the PWD officials and contractors, questioning the durability of the repairs and pointing out the visibly poor condition of the previously filled potholes.
The BJP workers' intervention resulted in a heated exchange, during which they demanded that the work be halted immediately. The workers emphasized that the Velhe-Nasrapur road had been neglected for too long, and the current repair efforts were inadequate.
They also highlighted the broader issues contributing to the road's deterioration, such as the lack of proper drainage and side strips, and the failure to construct culverts to divert water away from the road. These oversights, they argued, had led to significant waterlogging and mud accumulation, ultimately wasting public funds and compromising road safety.
In response to the criticism, Branch Engineer Prakash Gade of the PWD explained that the government had instructed the use of ready-mix concrete due to the ongoing monsoon season, as gravel and stone chips were not holding up in the rain.
However, he acknowledged that the current approach was ineffective and that higher-quality materials would be necessary to ensure the longevity of the repairs.