Chaos as urban redevelopment, pipeline works leave service roads in ruins
The issue escalated when a motorcyclist fell into an open trench; (right) Commuters say the situation on ground remains dire. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Thousands of commuters travelling along the 5.6-km Nigdi–Pimpri stretch of the Mumbai–Pune Highway continue to face severe inconvenience and safety hazards due to the ongoing Pimpri–Nigdi Metro extension, pipeline works and urban street redevelopment. Despite repeated complaints, neither the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) nor the Maha Metro authorities have implemented adequate safety measures, leaving the service roads damaged, narrow and accident-prone.
The situation has remained critical for months. This year’s prolonged monsoon left the already-dug-up service lanes filled with potholes, causing several mishaps. Even as winter has begun, the repair work on the side roads has not been completed.
The issue escalated on Thursday when a motorcyclist fell into an open trench dug for the metro project. The photo of the incident went viral on local citizens’ groups, drawing widespread criticism of the authorities.
Sharvari Kulkarni, a student from Pradhikaran who travels daily to Pune, described the ordeal commuters face every day. “We take the Metro from Pimpri to Deccan, but to reach the station we depend on shared autos from Nigdi. The pipeline and metro pillar work at Nigdi chowk has made it extremely risky to walk. There are trenches everywhere and almost no safety measures,” she said.
Vinay Kumar, an office-goer from Pune who visits Nigdi daily, added, “With the metro extension, urban street redesign and pipeline works happening simultaneously, there is total chaos. Accidents have become common, yet no one is held accountable.”
Responding to the criticism, PCMC officials said they have directed Maha Metro to complete repairs urgently. “On Thursday, we called the Metro officials to the PCMC head office and instructed them to repair the stretch at the earliest,” said Bapusaheb Gaikwad, Joint City Engineer (Urban Mobility).
In a written statement, Maha Metro said road repairs and manhole level correction along the project corridor were taken up as a priority.
The agency also said that high-quality hard barricading has been installed along 3.5 km of the work zone to ensure safety and smooth traffic movement, and that it remains committed to reducing public inconvenience.
However, commuters say the situation on ground remains dire. Due to extensive digging for metro pillars, urban street works and water pipeline construction, the service road width has drastically reduced.
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