Pune: The daily commute along Ganeshkhind Road, particularly the stretch from E-Square to Raj Bhavan, has turned into an ordeal for countless commuters. The road, marred by dust, potholes, and an uneven surface, has transformed into a motor-racing dirt track. The dust-laden air not only poses a significant risk of respiratory infections but also hampers visibility and contributes to traffic bottlenecks.
Despite persistent complaints from citizens and mounting evidence of the road’s adverse impact on respiratory health, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come under scrutiny for its inaction and failure to address the deteriorating road conditions.
While the civic body contends that the road has been entirely constructed with cement and rules out the possibility of further repairs, citizens beg to differ. During monsoon-related repair work, the PMC contractor seemingly opted for a superficial approach, applying tar to potholes and damaged sections without proper leveling. The poor quality of repairs rendered the road incapable of withstanding the heavy traffic flow, ultimately resulting in its degradation.
Daily commuters, bearing the brunt of this neglect, endure prolonged travel times and exposure to dust-laden air. The chronic traffic congestion exacerbates the situation, subjecting travelers to prolonged waits and elevated inhalation of dust particles.
“The road’s deteriorated state directly contributes to traffic congestion, while the swirling dust impairs visibility, posing a risk of potential accidents,” lamented Abhishek Shejale, a resident of Jawahar Nagar.
Dr. Manasi Pawar, a dedicated physiotherapist, shared her harrowing experience as a daily commuter along Ganeshkhind Road. The road’s pervasive dust creates perilous conditions for travelers, impacting visibility and endangering respiratory health. She revealed that her once-manageable 35-minute commute has stretched to nearly two hours due to burgeoning traffic and the road’s deteriorating condition.
V G Kulkarni, the head of the PMC road department, stated, “Ganeshkhind Road, constructed with cement, is no longer repairable. The cement composition should inherently prevent dust issues from arising. There can be no measures taken by PMC to reduce the dust.”
As commuters continue to grapple with the ramifications of the road’s neglect, calls for immediate and effective action to rectify the situation have grown louder. The collective demand for improved road conditions underscores the imperative of a safer, cleaner, and more efficient commute for all residents.
