Collapsed Chamber on JM Road: Was Pune Metro Construction Responsible?
Shivajinagar, 20th December 2024: A municipal chamber on Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road collapsed earlier this week, creating a large sinkhole and raising concerns about safety measures during Pune Metro construction. Just 1.5 feet from the site, the Mahametro administration had recently excavated a deep pit for a pedestrian bridge, leading to speculation that the collapse may be linked to inadequate care while backfilling the area.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated an investigation to determine whether the Metro construction work is responsible for the incident. Preliminary findings from the PMC Road Department suggest that the ground in the vicinity may have weakened, causing both the chamber and the surrounding road to collapse.
According to PMC sources, all monsoon chambers along Jangli Maharaj Road and nearby areas will now be inspected to prevent similar accidents in the future. While JM Road is known for being pothole-free, the chamber collapse has caused significant damage. The incident has raised questions about the quality of earlier construction, as the affected chamber was originally built in 2015.
During the inspection, no structural damage to the chamber walls was observed; however, the surrounding area remains compromised. Officials noted that the collapsed chamber is located just 1.5 feet away from the entrance to the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Udyan Metro station. A large pit had been excavated nearby for the construction of a pedestrian bridge, which may have contributed to the weakening of the ground.
The PMC administration has assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to identify the cause of the collapse and determine whether Metro construction activities were a factor.
Further updates on the investigation are awaited.
