Pune: Roads Dug Up Hours After Resurfacing, Residents Demand Accountability from PMC

Katraj, 1st December 2025: Residents of Ambegaon are expressing outrage after a glaring lack of coordination between the Pune Municipal Corporation’s Road and Water Supply Departments resulted in freshly asphalted roads being dug up within hours. The incident took place at Jai Bhavani Chowk and Telco Colony’s Jambhulwadi Road.

The Roads Department had completed asphalting work between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. However, by 10:30 am Wednesday, Water Supply Department staff arrived at the site to carry out work on a water line connection, digging up the newly laid asphalt.

Local resident Kunal Beldare voiced his frustration: “Where were these officials for the last 7-8 days when the road was already dug up? They are playing with our time, money, and patience. Tarmacking all night and digging in the morning is a direct insult to the public.”

Citizens have criticized the municipal corporation for poor planning and a lack of communication between departments, highlighting the unnecessary waste of public funds and inconvenience caused by such uncoordinated work. Many residents questioned why essential water line work was not completed before the road was freshly tarmacked.

Deputy Engineer of the Roads Department, Venkatesh Indrakshe, provided the official explanation: “Before starting the tarmacking, we sent a letter to the Water Supply and Drainage Department. Junior engineers from both departments coordinated the work and marked areas where water pipelines needed attention. These areas were left unpaved intentionally because of ongoing pipeline repairs.”

Satish Jadhav, Executive Engineer of the Swargate Water Supply Department, added, “The excavation was carried out in coordination with the Roads Department. The Water Supply Department had marked the relevant spots in advance, which is why certain sections were not tarmacked. Some asphalt work was done on the sides of the road during the process.”

While officials insist the work was coordinated, residents remain unconvinced. They argue that the apparent miscommunication on the ground, despite paperwork, reflects inefficiency and results in unnecessary traffic congestion and public frustration.