Despite Filling Over 1,100 Potholes, Roads in Pune Still in Poor Condition
Pune, 11th September 2025: Even after the Municipal Corporation filled 1,189 potholes in the past month, many roads across Pune continue to be riddled with potholes, raising concerns about road safety and maintenance.
The ‘PMC Road Mitra’ app, launched by the corporation to allow citizens to report potholes directly to the administration, received 1,274 complaints last month. Of these, most potholes have been addressed, but complaints continue to pour in from various parts of the city.
Monsoon and Road Damage
The Road Department typically undertakes asphalting before the monsoon to prevent potholes. However, heavy rains often damage newly laid surfaces, creating potholes on both major roads and smaller alleys. This year, several two-wheeler accidents were reported due to loose gravel and water accumulation on patched roads.
Even after repairs following sewage and water channel work, patchwork has deteriorated in several areas, resulting in waterlogging and pothole formation. Roads in 32 villages and neighborhoods, including Katraj-Kondhwa Road, Rajas Society Chowk, Manikbagh, Dhayari, Narhe, Warje, Karvenagar, Kondhwa, Mundhwa, Yerawada, and others, continue to suffer from potholes.
Citizen Complaints by Zone
Through the Road Mitra App, citizens submitted complaints across the seven municipal zones as follows:
Zone 1 (Katraj, Sinhagad area): 275 complaints
Zone 2 (Kondhwa, Yewalewadi): 153 complaints
Zone 3 (Bhavani Peth, Kasba): 56 complaints
Zone 4 (Mundhwa, Hadapsar, Undri): 263 complaints
Zone 5 (Kharadi, Lohgaon, Koregaon Park, Wagholi): 263 complaints
Zone 6 (Kothrud, Bavdhan, Warje, Karvenagar): 242 complaints
Zone 7 (Balewadi, Pashan, Bopodi): 170 complaints
According to Aniruddha Pawaskar, Head of the Road Department, 77 complaints are still pending and will be addressed shortly.
App Improvements Needed
While thousands of citizens have downloaded the Road Mitra App, users report difficulties in uploading photos. To submit a complaint, GPS must be turned on, and users need to be physically present at the pothole’s location to take a photo. Multiple attempts are often required for successful uploads, prompting calls for the app’s performance and user experience to be improved.
Despite proactive steps, Pune residents continue to face challenges due to deteriorating roads, particularly during the monsoon season.
