Pune: Jurisdiction Dispute Neglects Mutha River Basin Road, Plagued by Potholes

Deccan, 22nd October 2023: A road stretching from Rajput Vasti to Baba Bhide Bridge in the Mutha river basin has become the centre of a boundary dispute between two zonal offices. This dispute has resulted in the road’s deterioration, with only temporary and low-quality improvements being made. Around 100 pits are present on the road, which is just one and a half kilometres long, causing inconvenience to motorists.

This road serves as a vital thoroughfare for bikers commuting from Kothrud, Karve Road, Karve Nagar, Warje, Malwadi, Shivne, Khadakwasla, Dhayri, Narhe, Hingane, Anand Nagar, and Sinhagad Road. Approximately 1 lakh two-wheelers traverse this route daily, helping alleviate traffic congestion on Dandekar Bridge, Shastri Road, and Karve Road to some extent.

In the previous year, the road in the river basin was closed for four months for road widening and the installation of rainwater and sewage channels at Rajput Vasti. Consequently, citizens were forced to seek alternative routes.

The jurisdiction of the road section from Rajput Vasti to SM Joshi Bridge falls under the Warje-Karvenagar Zonal Office, while the section from SM Joshi Bridge to Bhide Bridge falls under the Shivajinagar Ghole Road Zonal Office. Responsibility for this road lies with two Executive Engineers of the Main Roads Department. However, despite the road’s poor condition, authorities have failed to address the issue.

The road has significantly deteriorated with gravel surfacing in various areas, and the streetlights on both sides of the road are frequently non-functional. This poses a safety risk at night. The road’s neglect in terms of maintenance and repair has led to it becoming a virtual bottleneck in the riverbed.

The Rajput settlement section of the road is relatively narrow, with restrictions allowing only bikers, primarily in the riverbed area. To enforce this, bollards have been installed in the settlement. Nonetheless, vehicles, including rickshaws, motorcycles, and tempos, continue to encroach on the riverbed from adjacent private land.

Sahebrao Dandge, Superintending Engineer of the Road Department, stated, “To address the issue of potholes on the Riverbasin road, patchwork has been undertaken. However, to prevent recurring potholes, plans are underway to completely asphalt the road from Rajput Vasti to Bhide Bridge and from Bhide Bridge to Jayantrao Tilak Bridge.”