AAP Accuses PMC of Shielding Contractors in Pune’s Pothole Crisis

Pune, 27th September 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has alleged large-scale corruption in Pune’s road works, claiming that potholes across the city expose a nexus between contractors, civic officials, and the ruling dispensation.

According to AAP, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) road department constructed nearly 100 kilometers of roads in 2023 with a five-year defect liability clause. However, before the liability period ended, the roads were dug up for water supply, drainage, and other civic works by PMC itself, along with state and central government departments and private cable companies. This, the party said, has nullified the defect liability, relieving contractors of their responsibility for repairs.

“Despite the defect liability period, the contractors have been freed of all responsibility because of deliberate permissions for road digging. This is a failure of the so-called ‘triple-engine government’ in Pune,” AAP alleged.

Road department chief Aniruddha Pavaskar has also admitted that none of the roads constructed under the 2023 package are covered under liability anymore due to repeated digging. AAP recalled that it had raised questions about the liability clause a year ago, and even President Droupadi Murmu had expressed displeasure over pothole-ridden roads during her visit to Pune.

‘Convenient Nexus Exposed’

AAP’s state spokesperson Mukund Kirdat alleged that a “convenient arrangement” has been going on for years between civic officials, contractors, and ruling leaders. “Last year, when we protested outside the PMC’s road department, we were given misleading replies and empty assurances. Today, the road department itself admits that not a single contractor is liable anymore. This means that despite spending taxpayers’ money on cement roads, the PMC will again have to bear the repair costs. Former mayor Murlidhar Mohol and the so-called triple-engine administrators are part of this hand-in-glove system,” Kirdat said.

Demand for Accountability

AAP has also raised concerns over the upcoming Pune Grand Challenge 2026 cycling event, for which PMC plans to spend Rs 145 crore on new roads with a ten-year defect liability. The party has warned that if the civic body allows digging on these roads as well, contractors will again escape responsibility, leaving repair costs on the public exchequer.

The party has urged Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram to hold officials accountable for leaving loopholes in contracts and failing to coordinate inter-departmental work. “Action must be taken against officers who deliberately create gaps in agreements and allow contractors to benefit,” AAP demanded.