Special Correspondent
Pune: It has been five years since the road construction project from Hadapsar to Manjari Budruk began, yet completion seems far off, causing significant inconvenience for commuters. The roadwork, which falls under the purview of two MLAs from the Hadapsar constituency, Chetan Tupe (NCP-AP) in the Legislative Assembly and Yogesh Tilekar (BJP) in the Legislative Council, remains stalled despite their efforts. Both MLAs belong to the ruling alliance, raising concerns about the lack of progress.
Coordination Failures and Responsibility Issues
The roadwork, divided into two phases, has seen delays due to poor coordination between various authorities. The first phase, covering Hadapsar to the Manjari railway overbridge, is overseen by the state construction department, while the second phase, from the railway station to Manjari Cemetery bridge, is managed by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). Since Manjari village is now part of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), politicians argue that PMC should handle the roadwork. However, due to conflicting responsibilities, the project remains incomplete, leaving residents frustrated.
Local Outrage and Calls for Action
Rajendra Salve, president of the Akhil Manjari Nagar Citizen Action Committee, expressed his dismay, accusing authorities of neglecting the project and benefiting contractors. “The roadwork began without land acquisition, and many residents have not been compensated. The situation is dire, with numerous accidents taking place. It’s clear that there is a lack of accountability and collusion between politicians, officials, and contractors,” Salve stated. He demanded immediate action to complete the work or risk a large-scale protest.
Ongoing Problems and Safety Concerns
While some sections of the road have been widened and concreted, other areas remain riddled with potholes. The road’s quality is subpar, with median barriers poorly constructed and unevenly placed. Several sections are incomplete, including sidewalks that are discontinuous and chambers that have sunk. Additionally, electricity poles and distribution panels block the path, and several areas lack proper lighting, leaving commuters vulnerable, especially at night.
Compensation Issues and Substandard Construction
Local residents allege that the project was rushed and poorly managed. Citizens are supposed to be compensated if their property is affected by road construction, but in this case, land acquisition occurred after work began, leaving many landowners without compensation. As a result, the roadwork is incomplete, and some residents have lost their land.
Traffic Congestion and Illegal Parking
The road is being expanded to 20 feet, but construction delays have forced many vehicles to park illegally along the road, narrowing the usable space to just 10 feet. This has resulted in frequent accidents and traffic jams. In addition, vendors frequently occupy the road, compounding the problem. The ongoing issues with the electricity poles ahead of the flyover further contribute to the hazards faced by commuters.
With deadlines repeatedly missed, the completion of this roadwork project remains uncertain, and the frustration of locals continues to mount.
