Pune: Wakad-Bhosari BRTS Road Unsafe for Two-Wheelers; PCMC’s ‘Design’ Under Scrutiny, Neglected for Four Months
Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Wakad, 8th July 2025: A literal death trap exists in Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Wakad area. The bustling Wakad–Bhosari BRTS Road, particularly the stretch from Bhujbal Chowk to Kaspate Chowk, has been extensively dug up, almost as if the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has engraved some design on the surface. However, PCMC’s so-called “design” is causing severe discomfort and poses a serious threat to commuters.
The digging has been done in a seemingly neat, linear pattern, which ironically makes it even more hazardous. The grooves disrupt tyre movement, especially for two-wheelers, causing wobbling that leads to riders losing balance. This dangerous condition has persisted since March, over four months now, with no resolution in sight. Shockingly, the work was supposedly carried out in preparation for road repairs, but no repairs have taken place. Instead, PCMC has made an already pothole-ridden road even worse.
This road is a direct link to the Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway (Katraj–Dehu Road Bypass) and connects key areas like Hinjawadi and Balewadi. Thousands use it daily. Residents say they have reported the issue several times via PCMC’s Saarathi app and helplines, but no action has been taken. Many are now questioning: if someone dies here, who will be held accountable?
Numerous minor accidents have been reported, with riders losing balance and suffering injuries. Still, PCMC appears to be turning a blind eye.
PCMC officials have justified the digging, saying it’s part of pre-asphalting procedures, engraving and digging are done to prepare the surface, fix levels and drainage, strengthen weak sections, upgrade utilities, and improve the overall layout. They claim these steps are essential for durability.
Notably, multiple areas across Pimpri-Chinchwad have witnessed similar digging patterns over the past few months. While a few locations have since been repaired, many remain in the same hazardous condition as Wakad, posing consistent risks to daily commuters.
Mitali Diwekar, a resident of Wakad, said, “This has been here for the last 3–4 months. There’s no warning. Two-wheeler tyres, which are thinner than four-wheelers, get stuck in these grooves. We lose balance easily, and with traffic all around, it becomes impossible to ride safely.”
Anil Gawde from Vishal Nagar added, “I travel to Hinjawadi daily. Since March, this road has been in this condition. A couple of my friends have met with accidents here. Luckily, there were no major injuries. But is the administration waiting for something fatal to happen before taking action? The potholes only make it worse. I wasn’t sure which department to raise the complaint with, so I flagged the issue through the 1 Call Problem Solve campaign, but there has been no response at all.”
Pimpri-Chinchwad police are also under scrutiny due to the worsening traffic in the area. Senior Police Inspector Sunil Pinjan, in charge of Wakad Traffic Division, said, “The road was dug for asphalting. PCMC is handling the work. We’ve asked them to finish it quickly, but early monsoons have caused delays.”
Efforts to contact PCMC City Engineer Makarand Nikam and Ward D Officer Amit Pandit were unsuccessful, as both remained unavailable for comment, just like the helplines.
