Pune: Citizens and activists staged a protest at Jai Hind Chowk in Ghorpadi for two hours on Friday against the bad condition of roads in the area and elsewhere within the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) limits. They said internal roads, including those in army residential areas, were filled with potholes and the cantonment authorities had done little to nothing to address the issue in the last few months. The group alleged PCB authorities fill up potholes with murum, which proves ineffective in monsoon rain.
The bad roads were a direct reason for traffic congestion through the day in Ghorpadi, protesters added. “Potholes were fixed the same way on Friday as well and I cannot understand the logic behind it. PCB should opt for a better solution to address the issue.
Cantonment authorities are exhibiting a lackadaisical approach to deal with road issues,” said Sanjay Kawade, an activist from Ghorpadi. Protesters said the 1.5km stretch from Ghorpadi Circle to the railway line had big potholes, where rainwater accumulated even after a drizzle.
“There is no proper drainage line to clear the water from the areas,” they said. Auto driver Danesh Thoke of Ghorpadi said, “Why can’t cantonment officials visit the areas to understand our plight?” Activist Avinash Kawade blamed the cantonment’s “laidback attitude”. “We face the same situation every monsoon.
The last two years were slightly better because of reduced rainfall. This year, it has been a nightmare,” he said.