PMC’s ‘Immediate Action’ Assurance Faces Questions as Dangerous Road Cut Still Troubles Commuters at NIBM Annexe

Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Mohammadwadi, 7th July 2026: A day after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) assured residents that immediate temporary repairs would be carried out at the dangerous road cut outside Shalimar Hotel in Mohammadwadi’s NIBM Annexe, locals alleged that the hazardous stretch continues to pose a serious threat to commuters, raising questions over whether the civic body’s assurance has translated into action.

The damaged horizontal trench on the busy road connecting Mohammadwadi and NIBM Annexe has remained a major concern for nearly two months. Residents say the excavation, coupled with heavy monsoon rains, has become an accident-prone spot, forcing motorists to slow down abruptly, causing traffic congestion and increasing the risk of serious accidents.

Following widespread public complaints, PMC officials assured that temporary repairs would be undertaken immediately, while permanent resurfacing would be carried out after the monsoon. However, as of Tuesday evening, residents alleged that no effective restoration work had begun and the road remained unsafe.

Local civic activist Jaymala Dhankikar said the issue goes beyond a damaged road and reflects a larger failure of civic planning and coordination.

“The problem is not just the road cut. Rainwater continuously flows down from the higher side because there is no proper storm-water drainage system. Unless that engineering flaw is corrected, the road will keep getting damaged every monsoon. Temporary repairs alone will not solve the problem,” Dhankikar said.

She further questioned why the civic body had failed to act despite repeated complaints.

“Citizens have been demanding repairs for nearly two months. PMC has assured immediate action, but people are still risking their lives every day while using this road. The authorities must ensure that the assurance is implemented on the ground without further delay,” she added.

Resident Danish Khan said commuters continue to face danger every day.

“People are still forced to negotiate the damaged stretch carefully. Two-wheelers remain the most vulnerable, especially during rainfall. We hope PMC converts its assurance into action before a serious accident occurs,” Khan said.

Another resident, Hussain Shaikh, said the stretch continues to disrupt traffic despite the civic body’s promise.

“Every vehicle slows down at the damaged portion. During peak hours, traffic builds up because everyone is trying to avoid the trench. We expected immediate action after the assurance, but the situation remains largely unchanged,” Shaikh said.

Resident Sadik Khan alleged that repeated road failures were the result of poor coordination between civic departments.

“Whenever one department completes its work, another digs up the road. There is no integrated planning. Taxpayers are suffering because different departments refuse to coordinate. Unless accountability is fixed, these problems will continue every year,” he said.

Daljeet Goraya reiterated that a permanent engineering solution was needed instead of temporary patchwork.

“Unless PMC constructs a proper storm-water drainage system to safely channel rainwater, the road will continue to get damaged every monsoon. Cosmetic repairs are not enough. The root cause has to be addressed permanently,” Goraya said.

Residents have urged PMC not only to restore the damaged carriageway immediately but also to construct a proper storm-water drainage network to prevent recurring road failures. They have also demanded accountability from the departments responsible for allowing the excavation to remain unattended for weeks despite repeated complaints.

With the monsoon expected to continue, residents warned that unless PMC’s assurance is backed by visible action, the damaged stretch could become even more dangerous, posing a serious threat to thousands of commuters using the route every day.