Pune: Damaged Canal Road Connecting St. Patrick’s and BT Kawade Road Raises Concerns
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Ghorpadi 20th July 2026 : Residents and daily commuters have raised serious concerns over the condition of the Canal Road connecting St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Bhagwan Tatyasaheb Kawade Road in Uday Baug, Ghorpadi, alleging that the stretch has become an illegal garbage dumping site while its damaged surface and lack of safety barriers pose a significant risk to motorists and pedestrians.
According to local residents, unidentified people frequently arrive on two-wheelers to dump household waste along the canal before leaving. The continuous dumping has led to heaps of garbage accumulating on the roadside, creating unhygienic conditions, foul odour and environmental hazards. Residents also claim that regular cleaning and waste removal are not being carried out.
Apart from the garbage issue, several portions of the canal road have reportedly developed cracks. Residents pointed out that there are no protective railings or boundary walls along the canal despite the road being used by hundreds of commuters every day. They recalled that about a year ago, a car reportedly fell into the canal due to the absence of safety barriers, making the need for immediate safety measures even more urgent.
The road is a vital shortcut for commuters travelling from Camp towards Hadapsar, Manjari, BT Kawade Road and nearby areas, helping them avoid traffic congestion and heavy truck movement on other routes. However, residents warn that unless immediate action is taken, the deteriorating condition of the road could result in another major accident.
Nazir Khan, a local resident, says, “this canal road has become a dumping ground. People come on motorcycles, throw garbage near the canal and leave. The road has developed cracks, and there are no protective barriers along the canal. Around a year ago, an entire car fell into the canal because there were no safety railings. Every day hundreds of commuters use this road, but no authority seems to be taking responsibility. We request the concerned departments to clean the area, repair the road and install proper safety barriers before another accident occurs.”
Astha Sharma, local resident, said, “The garbage dumped along the canal has made the entire stretch dirty and unhygienic. It affects the environment and creates inconvenience for everyone using the road. The authorities should ensure regular cleaning and take strict action against those illegally dumping waste here.”
“I use this canal road every day, it is a convenient route towards Hadapsar and helps me avoid heavy truck traffic. Unfortunately, the garbage is scattered along the road, cleanliness is not maintained, and the damaged road with no safety barriers makes commuting dangerous. The civic authorities should immediately clear the garbage, repair the road and install protective railings along the canal,” says Vimal Deshmukh, local resident and daily commuter.
Residents have appealed to the Pune Municipal Corporation and the concerned authorities to immediately remove the accumulated garbage, repair the damaged road, install protective barriers along the canal and take strict action against illegal dumping to ensure the safety of thousands of daily commuters using this important connecting route.
