“We’ve Fallen Off Our Bikes”: Pune Residents Demand Immediate Repair of Dangerous Handewadi Road
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Handewadi, 5th July 2026: Residents of Atria Grande, Dhanashree Angan and Dhanashree Ashiyana in Handewadi have alleged that the road behind Hande Lawns has remained in a severely damaged condition for years despite repeated complaints to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and local elected representatives. They claim the civic body has failed to undertake permanent repairs, forcing hundreds of residents to use an unsafe stretch every day, particularly during the monsoon.
The road, which serves as an important internal link connecting Nyati Estate to the Handewadi main road, is riddled with deep potholes, loose gravel, mud and slush. Following recent rainfall, several stretches have become nearly impassable, with water-filled potholes making it difficult for two-wheelers, four-wheelers and pedestrians to commute safely. Residents alleged that several two-wheeler riders have skidded and fallen due to the poor condition of the road, while motorists are forced to drive cautiously to avoid accidents.
According to residents, the problem has persisted for nearly a decade. Although Atria Grande has been occupied for around 10 years and the locality has been under PMC jurisdiction for the past five to six years, they say no permanent road development has taken place. Instead, only temporary repairs have been carried out from time to time, providing little relief.
Residents further explained that the road is located on a downward slope, causing rainwater from the upper side to flow towards the residential societies during heavy rainfall. This has historically resulted in severe waterlogging and further deterioration of the road surface. While PMC recently carried out temporary work that appears to have reduced water accumulation at one location, residents said the damaged road itself remains untouched and continues to pose a serious safety risk.
Locals also expressed disappointment over what they described as a lack of accountability from the authorities. They alleged that despite submitting several complaints to PMC and repeatedly approaching local representatives, they have received no concrete response. According to them, whenever they contact the local representative, they are referred to the junior engineer, who in turn directs them to another official, leaving residents without any clear timeline for when the road will finally be repaired.
Residents also claimed that the adjoining DP Road was inaugurated by the local representative, while the road behind Hande Lawns continues to remain neglected. They questioned why development has taken place on the DP Road while the internal road used daily by residents of Atria Grande, Dhanashree Angan and Dhanashree Ashiyana has been ignored despite repeated complaints.
Residents further alleged that they were informed by the local representative that there is currently no sanctioned budget for reconstructing the road and that the work can begin only after funds are approved.
A resident of Atria Grande Society said, “Our society has been here for nearly 10 years, and for the last eight to nine years this road has remained in the same condition. Every monsoon, it turns into a stretch full of potholes, mud and slush. I have personally fallen from my two-wheeler twice on this road because of its poor condition, and several other riders have also met with similar accidents.”
Another resident said, “The local representative inaugurated the adjoining DP Road, but if you look at the road behind Hande Lawns, its condition speaks for itself. Despite several complaints over the years, we are still forced to travel on a road full of potholes, mud and slush. We feel like neglected citizens while development is happening around us.”
Expressing frustration over the delay, a third resident said, “Whenever we approach the local representative, we are given the junior engineer’s contact number. The junior engineer then asks us to contact another officer. Nobody is taking responsibility. We were also told that there is no budget available for this road and that permanent work can only begin after funds are sanctioned.”
Residents of Atria Grande, Dhanashree Angan and Dhanashree Ashiyana have urged the Pune Municipal Corporation to prioritise the complete reconstruction of the road behind Hande Lawns instead of carrying out temporary repairs. They said the road is a crucial access route used daily by hundreds of families and warned that the ongoing monsoon could lead to more accidents and further deterioration if immediate action is not taken. They appealed to the civic administration and elected representatives to resolve the long-pending issue before the condition worsens further.
