Pune: Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway Service Road Turns into Pothole Nightmare
Reported by Gayatri Kelkar
Wakad, 3rd September 2025: The service road along the Mumbai–Bengaluru Highway between Bavdhan and Dehu Road is riddled with potholes, leaving commuters frustrated and concerned about safety.
“Every day I spend an extra 20 minutes on this stretch just dodging potholes. It’s not only tiring but also dangerous when two-wheelers lose balance,” said Ramesh Pawar, an IT professional from Wakad, who uses the road to reach his Hinjawadi office.
For residents, the situation has become part of their daily struggle. Meenal Joshi, a Bavdhan resident, remarked, “We pay road taxes, yet basic infrastructure is missing. Even after repeated complaints, no action has been taken to repair this service road.”
Traffic experts also raised red flags. A retired RTO officer pointed out, “Potholes on such busy highways increase accident risks, especially during peak hours. Authorities must prioritize repairs before the situation worsens.”
The poor road conditions not only slow down traffic but also test the patience of thousands of commuters who rely on this route daily. Citizens have urged authorities to carry out immediate repair work to prevent further inconvenience.
Yesterday, Maval MP Shrirang Barne had inspected the service roads alongwith officials including PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh and NHAI project manager Sandeep Kadam.
“The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for this major infrastructure initiative. A substantial fund of ₹5,500 crore is expected to be approved in the coming days, after which the construction work will commence. The project includes an 8.3 km elevated flyover from Kivale to Wakad, a flyover at the Dehu Road Bypass Y-Junction, as well as underpasses and 12-meter service roads on both sides at Kivale, Ravet, Punawale, Tathawade, and Bhumkar Chowk, built according to Development Plan road standards.
Once completed, this project is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area and improve road safety by controlling accidents.
I personally inspected the proposed site and conveyed the necessary instructions to the Central Government to ensure the work is accelerated, enabling citizens to benefit from smoother and safer transport services soon”, Barne tweeted.
