Pune: The prolonged road construction from Rajmata Underpass to Trimurti Chowk in the Bharati Vidyapeeth area has become a major source of frustration for local residents. The work, which began months ago, has been progressing at a snail's pace, causing significant inconvenience.

The roadwork, initiated by the Road Department, was stalled when the Water Supply Department began laying a 24/7 water pipeline. The resulting pits have left the road in a half-finished state, forcing the closure of one lane and leading to severe traffic congestion.

Residents report that school buses can no longer enter the society, and elderly people are forced to walk long distances to find rickshaws. The slow progress of the water pipeline work has added to the woes, with the Water Supply Department citing heavy traffic as a reason for delays.

Despite continuous efforts by the Road Department to push for quicker completion, the Water Supply Department insists that the road cannot be dug up again once finished, leaving the roadwork in limbo.

Traffic police have been deployed, but drivers continue to face difficulties due to the makeshift double-lane traffic on a single-lane road. The Road Department has pledged to open the road for traffic by next week, regardless of the situation, and plans to repair the pits left by the Water Supply Department. Further work on drainage and stormwater lines is also planned for the remaining half of the road.

During peak hours, the area is plagued by massive traffic jams, exacerbating the frustration of residents who have been dealing with this situation for over six months.

Local resident Archana Sarda questioned whether the road has become a testing ground for various experiments, given the prolonged and disruptive construction.