Pune: After facing severe criticism over potholes on city roads, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) embarked on a pothole repair campaign, working day and night to address the issue.

However, the quality of these repairs is substandard. Many potholes were only partially filled, and gravel from the repairs has spread across the roads.

Additionally, the patchwork is already deteriorating, with gravel coming loose and new potholes forming in the same spots.

Heavy rains had caused significant damage to the city’s roads, leading to widespread potholes that severely impacted traffic flow. Despite the urgency, the PMC initially did not prioritize repairs.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol convened a meeting with the PMC and police administration, resulting in an order to fill potholes within 48 hours.

Following this directive, the PMC’s road department claimed to have repaired 804 potholes over the weekend. An inspection on Tuesday (August 6) revealed that although the potholes were filled, the quality of work was poor.

Key observations included:

• Potholes filled with gravel, concrete, and cold mix.

• Gravel from many filled potholes had spread onto the road.

• Potholes had reappeared in the same locations.

• Gravel from the patchwork was coming loose.

• Sunken chambers were superficially tarred.

• Repairs following the alleged 'scientific method' were substandard.

The scientific method for pothole repair involves cutting the pothole into a square, draining water, cleaning it, spraying tar, filling with hot mix or cold mix material, rolling, and applying a tar liquid strip. However, this method was inadequately followed in practice.