Pune: Potholes Plague Pune-Nashik highway, Chakan-Shikrapur road in Industrial Belt; Commuters Demand Lasting Repairs
Chakan, 5th August 2026: The Pune-Nashik National Highway and the Chakan-Shikrapur road, two of the busiest routes serving the Chakan industrial belt, have been riddled with potholes following continuous rainfall over the past few days, making commuting hazardous and worsening traffic congestion.
Large potholes have developed at several locations on both roads, with rainwater concealing the damaged stretches and increasing the risk of accidents. Motorists said it has become difficult to identify potholes, leading to a rise in minor mishaps, particularly involving two-wheelers.
The roads witness round-the-clock movement of heavy vehicles, container trucks, buses and two-wheelers due to the presence of thousands of industrial units in Chakan MIDC. However, potholes have slowed traffic, resulting in daily traffic snarls and long delays.
Commuters said the damaged roads have also led to frequent mechanical failures, including damaged suspensions and tyre bursts, imposing additional repair costs on vehicle owners while increasing fuel consumption because of slow-moving traffic.
Residents and workers have demanded that authorities undertake durable repairs instead of temporary patchwork and make the roads safe before a major accident occurs.
On the Chakan-Shikrapur stretch, the asphalt surface has peeled off completely at several locations. Two-wheeler riders are particularly vulnerable, as many lose control while trying to avoid potholes. The risk is even greater at night because of inadequate street lighting and potholes hidden beneath rainwater.
The recurring deterioration of the roads every monsoon has also raised questions over the quality of road construction. Citizens pointed out that despite crores of rupees being spent on road works, the stretches develop potholes every rainy season. They have demanded a high-level inquiry into the quality of road construction and accountability for substandard work, instead of merely carrying out temporary pothole-filling exercises.
