Pune: Persistent rain and neglected maintenance have caused the deterioration of open gym equipment installed along the roadside in the Old Sangvi area, leaving residents disappointed and concerned about the risk of accidents.

The open gym facilities, placed on jogging tracks and in parks such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Garden and Shivshrusti Garden, require urgent repairs. Residents are also calling for the removal of overgrown grass and better cleanliness in the area.

Efforts to reach the local sports department for comments were unsuccessful. A local resident, Rupesh Pujari, expressed frustration, noting that some equipment was already damaged before the rainy season, and the ongoing lack of regular maintenance has only exacerbated the situation.

The situation is equally troubling on the Chakan Highway, where clogged drains have led to severe waterlogging, creating potholes across the road.

The National Highway Authority has been conducting road repairs, but continuous rain has rendered temporary fixes ineffective. This has resulted in dangerous driving conditions, especially for motorcyclists and pedestrians who struggle to navigate through the waterlogged streets.

In addition, improper waste disposal from nearby commercial and residential buildings along the Talegaon-Chakan road has worsened the situation, causing daily traffic jams and accidents.

"The unauthorized constructions, illegal encroachments, dangerous potholes, and traffic jams caused by heavy vehicles on the Talegaon-Dabhade-Chakan road have put the lives of citizens at risk," said Sagar Sharma, a local trader from Talegaon Station.

"The maintenance work on the Talegaon-Chakan Highway NH-548D has been undertaken by the Indian Highway Authority. Currently, urgent pothole repairs are underway, and soon, the highway will be strengthened and widened," said Vishal Rathod, Project Manager, MD Infra.