Pune, 28th July 2026: Days after a controversy over water tankers being used to irrigate trees during heavy rainfall, another civic issue has come under scrutiny in Pune. This time, wall painting work was carried out in the middle of heavy rain, triggering allegations of wasteful expenditure and poor planning.
The incident was reported behind Adinath Society in the Mukundnagar–Salisbury Park area under Bibwewadi Ward Office limits. Workers were seen applying lime wash and paint on a wall despite continuous rainfall. However, the rain washed away the fresh coating, with the lime flowing onto the road.
Local resident Bharat Surana criticised the work, saying public money was being wasted. He said civic representatives should ensure such work is carried out only under suitable conditions and urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) not to release payment to the contractor for the work.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner of the Bibwewadi Ward Office, Sheetal Wadke, said the civic administration had neither granted permission nor sanctioned funds for wall painting work in Ward No. 21. She added that the administration would investigate who had authorised and undertaken the work.
Former corporator Pravin Chorbele said the wall beautification project was being carried out using a ₹2 lakh ward-level development fund. According to him, the work had started as part of the beautification initiative, but rainfall began unexpectedly while the painting was underway.
The incident has once again raised questions over the planning and monitoring of civic works, especially during the monsoon, and whether public funds are being spent efficiently.