Pune: Commuting to Pune’s Aundh District Hospital and the AYUSH Hospital has become an increasingly difficult task for both patients and local residents, as the roads leading to these healthcare facilities are riddled with potholes.
Citizens have been demanding that the internal roads be repaired to ease the daily inconvenience they face.
Except for the entrance to the district hospital, the surrounding internal roads have become nearly impassable due to the large number of potholes that have worsened over several months.
This situation has made navigating through traffic a daunting challenge for those visiting these crucial healthcare centers, particularly patients in need of timely care.
The district hospital and the AYUSH facility see a large influx of patients from across Maharashtra and beyond, especially from the nearby suburbs of Pimple Nilakh, Pimple Gurav, Juni Sangvi, Navi Sangvi, and Dapodi.
The back roads leading to the hospitals have become the main route for these residents. However, the pothole-ridden paths, particularly in the monsoon, fill with water, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and motorists alike.
The newly opened AYUSH Hospital has been gaining significant attention, with the management reporting that over 100 patients arrive daily for various treatments.
The increase in patients is putting more pressure on the already damaged roads, raising concerns among residents about the safety and accessibility of healthcare services.
Adding to the residents’ woes are the overgrown bushes and inadequate street lighting along the internal roads. The lack of proper lighting has made nighttime commutes especially dangerous.
Residents have also reported instances of public drinking in these poorly lit areas, further endangering the safety of those commuting to and from the hospital.
Roads in Frequent Use
The internal roads are not just essential for hospital traffic but also serve as key routes for daily commuters, office-goers, and students in nearby areas.
They are a popular shortcut to the Sangvi Phata Flyover, making them critical for local traffic. However, the poor condition of these roads often leads to traffic jams, worsening the inconvenience for everyone.
Anil Gade, an engineer from the Irrigation Department, stated that the road repairs have been approved and will commence once the monsoon ends. "Both the main and internal roads will be resurfaced once the weather permits," he assured.