Road Conditions in Pune this Monsoon
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Pune is the Western part of India, in the state of Maharashtra approximately 160 km East of Mumbai. The city lies nearly 3 miles along the river. The heart of the city is much older than the rest of the city. It has winding roads, many of which follow the natural slopes of the mountainous terrain and end at the rivers feeding the city. As the city expanded unevenly, a large number of roads were built around the central portion of the city, including the major highways, which link the city to other parts of the country.

The current state of roads in Pune is extremely poor. There are a lot of reports in newspapers regarding the highly corrupted Pune Municipal Corporation and the contractors having formed a nexus resulting in the very poor condition of the roads in the city. A major portion of the Pune Municipal Corporation funds is set-aside before the monsoon every year for resurfacing of the roads. However, many of the roads return to their previous poor condition before the end of the monsoon period.

The condition of the roads in the city two or three year’s back was atrocious. Now it is gradually improving. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started repair work, but it is moving at snail's pace. Road repair projects are never completed in time, causing a lot of inconvenience to motorists. The repairs should have been completed before the monsoon. The main roads are a little better than the smaller ones and by lanes. Small roads are full of potholes and debris of the construction material used for repair

Road widening projects are going on, but the Pune Municipal Corporation is not doing it in a planned manner. Its not like officials are not working but they are not planning projects properly. They dig up roads to install pipelines, again when they have to put in electricity cables, once again for telephone cables, this can be planned and implemented together, so as to save time and money. Which could also reduce inconvenience of the citizens. At the time of digging they shift the existing cables, causing problems in electricity connections in some areas. More systematic approach is required. The roads are not big is one of the problem, but work during the monsoon adds to the congestion.

Works should be completed well in time before arrival of monsoon. Pune Municipal Corporation has to take utmost care to complete the work. Mainly potholes in the roads worsen the situation and are the major cause of traffic getting jammed. There are potholes everywhere in middle of the road, it is never repaired before the monsoon, and many accidents take place due to that. Whenever the vehicle slows down near the potholes, people start honking impatiently, or may be this may even lead towards accident.