Deadline extended, pre-monsoon work on even after arrival of rains in Pune

PUNE: Monsoon has arrived in the city, but pre-monsoon road work is yet to be complete in Pune municipal limits.
Many dug-up roads are yet to be restored, especially in Peth areas, even after the extension of the deadline for completion of work till June 10.
The pre-monsoon road resurfacing work is yet to be carried out. Improper resurfacing at many spots is causing inconvenience to commuters venturing out for work after the unlock process.
On Thursday afternoon, a truck carrying ready mix cement got stuck in a dug-up section of Kelkar Road near Tilak chowk (Alka Talkies chowk).A heavy-duty crane had to be pressed into service to move the truck. The movement of crane on the road in the old parts of the city caused traffic jams.
Vishrambaug traffic division officials told TOI, “The truck got stuck in the dug-up area in the afternoon. Vehicular movement is not allowed on the stretch between Alka talkies chowk and ‘Z’ Bridge in Narayan Peth.”
Though the civic administration claimed that road repair work will be completed by June 10, the work is far from over at many places. In some areas, like Pune Satara Road, the repair work commenced recently.
Local corporator Sunil Kamble said, “The repair work has started since it falls under the emergency category and will to be completed as soon as possible.”
“The side margins of the road were dug up for laying of electricity cables. Had the work not been done ,it would have caused power failure during the monsoon,” he said.
Pune Municipal Corporation additional commissioner Kunal Khemnar said that he has sought work completion report from all ward offices. “Almost all road work has been completed. We will cross-verify the data. It is expected that we will get them from the respective offices on Friday. If any serious lapses are found in road repair work, criminal cases will be filed against contactors. We have already filed such cases for two locations.”
Civic officials said that work related to road repairs, nullah cleaning and sewage line cleaning is almost complete. Only work for 24 x 7 water supply scheme is underway in some areas. The water supply lines are being laid after some decades. This work will continue for a few more days.
Citizen activists stressed that the quality of work should be maintained. “The standard laid down by the Indian Roads Congress should be followed. The quality of work is poor in many places,” said Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagrik Manch, a citizens’ group.