The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) monsoon preparedness has been put to the test as heavy rains in the past two days resulted in severe waterlogging and traffic congestion at the underpass near the Sancheti bridge. The situation has led to significant inconvenience and delays for commuters during peak hours, exposing the city’s lack of readiness to tackle monsoon challenges.
The underpass, which serves as a crucial route for daily commuters, was completely inundated with knee-deep water, forcing authorities to restrict movement. As a consequence, traffic was diverted to the Sancheti bridge, causing snarls and aggravating the commuting experience for the public. Neeta Khadke, a regular user of the Sancheti bridge, shared her ordeal, expressing disappointment with the civic body’s assurances before the monsoon. “The authorities claimed that all measures had been taken to prevent waterlogging, but the reality is entirely different,” she said.
Nividita Kelapure, another commuter, raised concerns about safety hazards arising from flooding, especially at the underpass. Slippery roads and water-filled potholes pose risks of accidents, making it crucial for the authorities to address the issue urgently to ensure the safety and convenience of motorists.
Upon receiving a complaint about waterlogging, the Pune fire brigade’s team rushed to the spot to clear blockages and investigate the cause. Ramesh Gangad, assistant divisional officer, explained that the ongoing metro work had choked up the underground water outlet, leading to the unprecedented waterlogging in the area.
Apart from the underpass, several other areas in the city also witnessed waterlogging, causing traffic snarls on major connecting roads like Senapati Bapat Road, Ganesh Khind Road, and Shivaji Nagar Road. This is despite the civic administration’s claims of having cleaned most of the drains before the monsoon.
Arjun Botre, a traffic police inspector, revealed that due to waterlogging at the Sancheti underpass, vehicular movement was restricted and diverted through alternative routes. He also pointed out that the heavy traffic jams were exacerbated by the weekend influx of people traveling by car during the monsoon.
