Pune authorities ordered to repair 400 km of poor roads

Pune District guardian minister and president of the district planning committee Chandrakant Patil has instructed the district and city administration to prepare an outline for reconstruction and repair of 400 km of city roads, work for which will begin after the end of the rainy season. Patil this week also announced the deployment of traffic wardens at various junctions, chowks and roads to maintain the free flow of traffic across the city. Further, the traffic department will refrain from taking any penal action against citizens, including recovering fines and issuing challans, till the end of Diwali festivities. Patil said, “The rains played havoc with the lives of citizens, resulting in bad roads and traffic jams across the city. After the rains subside, 400 km of city roads will be reconstructed and repaired. Private traffic wardens will be stationed for traffic management, and roads under the Pune metro bridges will be repaired. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune metro will be provided funds for these projects by the District Planning Committee.” The PMC – currently under the direct supervision of administrator Vikram Kumar – has come under sharp criticism from citizens’ forums for inept handling of waterlogging during heavy rains, bad roads, and extremely poor traffic management during the monsoon. During the meeting this week, the district administration further presented a development plan (DP) of Rs 8.75 billion, out of which Rs 566.70 million has been spent so far. See also: Centre eyes state highways with high traffic for lane expansion120 architect firms seek design change in coastal road project