Pune: In Warje, a contractor's attempt to fill a water-filled pothole with cement concrete has proved costly. The contractor, involved in the uniform water supply project, has been fined ₹1 lakh by the Pune Municipal Corporation and ordered to redo the roadwork.

The city's uniform water supply scheme is underway, and after laying water pipelines, contractors are filling potholes with cement concrete.

In Warje, at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk, rainwater had accumulated in a pothole after a pipeline was laid. Instead of removing the water, cement concrete was directly poured into the water-filled pothole from a mixer.

This increased the water content in the cement, resulting in poor-quality work. The revelation led to widespread criticism of the Pune Municipal Corporation and the contractor on social media. Citizens complained about the misuse of their tax money and alleged corruption in the municipal corporation.

In response, the municipal corporation ordered the contractor to remove the substandard roadwork and to properly concrete the area as per regulations. Today, the road will be dug up, and proper concreting will be done on Thursday (August 1).

Additionally, the contractor was fined Rs. 1 lakh for the poor quality work and the damage to the municipal corporation's reputation.

"The uniform water supply project is being carried out by L&T company. After this incident came to light, the company was fined ₹1 lakh. A notice will also be issued to the consultant. The company has been ordered to redo the roadwork," said Nandkishor Jagtap, head of the water supply department.