Pune: Despite the municipal administration's assurance of adhering to proper guidelines for filling potholes, a bizarre incident has surfaced where municipal contractors are filling waterlogged potholes with cement concrete. This incident was observed at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Warje.
The city's roads have been severely damaged with potholes due to the rainy season, causing major inconvenience to motorists and exacerbating traffic congestion.
Contractors and officials have been instructed to fill potholes correctly by following the guidelines rather than using improper methods. While some areas have seen adherence to these directives, certain contractors continue to fill potholes as they please.
Around 3:30 PM at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk in Warje, workers were seen filling the road with cement concrete. Despite the presence of accumulated rainwater in the potholes, the water was not removed before pouring cement concrete directly from the mixer.
Consequently, the affected section of the road became loose, with water seeping through the cement concrete.
When questioned, the contractor's workers asserted that pouring concrete into water-filled potholes would not cause any issues and claimed that the road would be in good condition.
However, no municipal sub-engineer or employee was present during this work. Nandkishor Jagtap, head of the Water Supply Department, stated, "We will investigate whether this work falls under the Water Supply Department, and appropriate action will be taken."
"This work is being carried out by the Water Supply Department. Filling potholes in such a manner is not appropriate. Action will be taken against the concerned contractor, and the work will be redone properly," said Aniruddha Pavaskar, head of the Road Department.
