Pune: The Katraj-Kondhwa road has become a nightmare for drivers due to numerous potholes, resulting in traffic congestion and frequent minor accidents.
Waterlogging from nearby areas exacerbates the issue, creating hazardous driving conditions. Residents and drivers are demanding immediate action from the municipality to fill the potholes and provide a more durable solution.
Water from areas like Gokulnagar, Swami Samarthnagar, Shivshambhonagar, and Maulinagar flows onto the Katraj-Kondhwa road during the rains, causing the road to become waterlogged and potholes to form.
As a result, the condition of the road near ISKCON Temple Chowk, Maulinagar Chowk, and Shivshambhonagar lanes has become deplorable.
Drivers and residents are demanding that the potholes in Shivshambhonagar Lane numbers three and four, Gokulnagar Chowk, and the main road in front of Pratiknagar be filled immediately.
Although the municipality has started filling the potholes, doing so during the monsoon season is not proving effective, and the situation is expected to revert to its original state. Residents are questioning why the municipal administration does not take preventive measures before the rainy season.
The municipality has a fund of 213 crore rupees for the land acquisition for the Katraj-Kondhwa road. Residents have been consistently demanding that the delayed road work be expedited and that instead of merely patching the potholes with asphalt, the road should be strengthened with concrete due to heavy traffic.
The potholes fill with rainwater, making it difficult for motorcyclists to judge their depth, leading to accidents.
Work has begun to fill the potholes at Shriram Chowk. In coordination with traffic police, work has started in some areas by reducing traffic. "We are determined to fill all major potholes within the next seven days," said Dhananjay Gaikwad, Deputy Engineer, adding that care will be taken to minimize inconvenience to residents and that the land acquisition work will now be expedited.
The funds provided by the state government and the municipality are now available. Therefore, the municipal administration should not remain passive but should accelerate the work on the Katraj-Kondhwa road and find a permanent solution, said local resident Dattatreya Baravkar.
"The Katraj-Kondhwa road is in a terrible state, especially near ISKCON Temple Chowk. The municipal administration should immediately fill the potholes to relieve the residents," said driver Vikas Badhe.
