E-Paper
98% pre-monsoon road maintenance work complete, says Pune Municipal Corporation
A total of 114 km of city roads have been reinstated: official
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) claims to have completed 98 per cent of road maintenance work related to pre-monsoon work, till June 7. The civic administration missed the May 31 deadline to carry out the annual road maintenance work before the arrival of monsoon.
The civic officials cite implementation of the model code of conduct as the reason for delay. The model code of conduct came into effect from March 10 and ended on May 26. Hence, many work orders could not be given, according to officials.
Aniruddha Pawaskar, chief, PMC road department, said, “We have completed 98 per cent of road maintenance in the city before the arrival of monsoon, however, the work will continue even during the rains as per the requirement.”
According to Pawaskar, the work is done under three categories viz. reinstatement of roads, resurfacing of patches of damaged roads, filling of potholes and replacing storm water drain chambers.
He said, “We have issued notices to contractors to finish reinstatement of excavations of various agencies like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), the work for most of which has already finished. We have also not given any fresh permission for excavation.”
“A total of 114 km of city roads have been reinstated,” said Pawaskar.
Citizens are facing inconvenience due to road maintenance work been undertaken at various parts of the city.
Pedestrians are finding it difficult to cross the road near Mayur colony.
“The road has been dug up on one side and concretisation is going on the other. It is difficult to walk on roadsides as there is hardly any space,” said Manali J, a student living in Kothrud.
PMPML on top gear to make buses monsoon-ready
With residents preferring to travel in buses during rainy season to avoid getting drenched, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited’s (PMPML) began pre-monsoon maintenance work of its buses two months ago.
Kailas Gavade, chief engineer, PMPML, said, “Many buses broke down during the last monsoon. Hence, we started our preparedness exercise from April onwards.”
In July 2018, at least 5,735 PMPML bus breakdowns were reported. On average, 200 buses developed snags every day in July. The number includes a daily average of 75 PMPML-owned buses and 110 buses operated by private contractors on behalf of public transport body.
Officials pointed out that the figures include all kinds of technical snags as minor as a tyre puncture and serious faults requiring the bus to retire for the day.
According to Gavade, the department is not only focusing on engine maintenance, but also looking at other repairs of buses.
He said, “Besides the engine maintenance, we will also change broken windows, wipers and plug roof leaks with rubber ducks. Providing the best facility to all is our topmost priority.”
Statistics
Total number of PMPML buses: 2,006
PMPML owned buses: 1,379
Buses owned by contractors: 627
Age of buses
0-5 years: 221 buses
6-8 year: 461 buses
9-10 years: 370 buses
11-12 years: 180 buses
12+ years: 147 buses
Pre-monsoon road maintenance work in progress
-98 per cent work complete as on June 7, says PMC
-Earlier deadline: May 31, 2019
-Reasons for delay: Implementation of model code of conduct for Lok Sabha elections from March 10 to May 26, 2019
Completed works
- Reinstatement of roads
- Resurfacing of patches of damaged roads
- Filling of potholes and replacing storm water drain chambers
Number of chambers cleaned or replaced: 18,172
Number of drainage points cleaned: 231
Length of drainage systems cleared: 92 km
Length of roads reinstated: 114 km
Places where PMC has conducted maintenance work
Katraj, Wadgaon sheri, Hadapsar, Pashan, Dhanori, Kothrud, Vishrantwadi, Hingne, Dattawadi and Aundh
Quick response team ready to tackle eventualities
While the pre-monsoon road maintenance is almost over, the PMC’s road department is equipped to tackle any major road damages during the monsoon. The civic body has deployed one maintenance vehicle each in all the 15 wards of the city. The vehicles will repair major road damages caused due to heavy rains.
Quotes
“We have almost completed the road maintenance work in the city before the arrival of monsoon. Repair work will continue even during the rains as per requirement.”
- Aniruddha Pawaskar, chief of road department, PMC
“The road has been dug up on one side and concretisation is going on the other. Pedestrians are finding it difficult to walk on roadsides because of lack of space.”
-Manali J, student living in Kothrud
PMC road department helpline: 25501083
