Pune, 27 August 2026: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has finally started road inspections after facing criticism over the poor condition of roads during the monsoon. City Engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar has directed engineers from the junior level to the executive engineer level to inspect roads daily on two-wheelers instead of four-wheelers.
The order covers road department officials and staff from the five civic zones and their respective regional offices. The aim is to identify road-related problems more closely and ensure that repairs are taken up without delay.
Officials have been asked to conduct inspections from 9.45 am to 11.45 am. During these rounds, they will check:
Potholes and damaged road surfaces
Road wear and deterioration
Broken, damaged or sunken water and sewerage manhole covers
Encroachments on footpaths
Other issues affecting road safety and traffic movement
Officials must assess road safety and driving conditions and submit a daily report to the concerned department head, along with details of the action required.
Heavy monsoon rainfall has damaged several major and internal roads across Pune. Large potholes have appeared at multiple locations, while damaged manhole covers and encroached footpaths have added to the problems faced by commuters and pedestrians.
With many footpaths blocked or in poor condition, pedestrians are often forced to walk on roads. This has increased difficulties for motorists and contributed to traffic congestion in several parts of the city.
The poor road conditions have also intensified criticism of both the civic administration and the ruling establishment. Political representatives have warned that they may hold protests against the administration over the failure to address the problems.
The timing of the new inspection drive is significant as Ganeshotsav celebrations are only a few weeks away. Roads in the central parts of the city as well as several suburban areas continue to have potholes and damaged footpaths.
The PMC has announced a pothole-filling campaign from August 23 to September 23. However, the drive is yet to gain visible momentum at several locations, raising concerns over whether the work will be completed before the festival.
The latest order has therefore placed the focus on whether the civic administration can move beyond inspections and complete the necessary road repairs before Ganeshotsav.
