When It Rains, It Pours: Pune’s Infrastructure Tested By Monsoon Madness
Pune, 23rd September 2023: Pune was hit by heavy rains on Friday evening, leading to waterlogged roads and severe traffic jams across the city. The downpour, which began after 4 pm, exacerbated existing issues caused by partial drain cleaning, ongoing roadwork, and metro and flyover construction.
Traffic Disruptions
Traffic was significantly affected due to water accumulation from the hour-long rain. Traffic control lights at multiple intersections were turned off, leading to long queues of vehicles. The situation was further complicated by altered traffic routes due to the ongoing Ganeshotsav festival. Motorists were seen navigating through lanes near major roads to avoid congestion. The rain coincided with office closing hours, resulting in a rush of commuters.
Affected Areas
Vehicle queues were reported on several key roads including FC Road, Ganeshkhind Road, Jungli Maharaj Road, Karve Road, Sinhagad Road, Tilak Road, Satara Road, Shankarsheth Road, Sassoon Hospital Road, Nagar Road, and Bundgarden Road. Traffic conditions began to improve after 8 pm.
Drainage System Collapse
Despite claims by the municipal administration that pre-monsoon work had been completed, including the cleaning of drains, monsoon channels, and sewers, the drainage system was overwhelmed. Waterlogging was not only reported in the usual areas but also in new locations such as Kothrud Garbage Land, Paud Road, Satara Road, Swami Vivekananda Chowk, Dhanori-Lohegaon Road, and Viman Nagar Chowk.
Public Reaction
The waterlogging and traffic jams have raised questions about the city’s preparedness for the monsoon season, especially during the Ganesh Festival, a time of heightened activity and road usage.
The heavy rains have exposed the inadequacies of Pune’s drainage system and road infrastructure, causing inconvenience to its residents and putting a damper on Ganesh Festival celebrations. Immediate action is required to prevent such incidents in the future.
