Industries furious over poor road conditions in Pune

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Small Industries Association has expressed deep disappointment with the poor upkeep of roads in the industrial township and its adverse impact on business activity, and urged the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) to carry out urgent repairs.

Association president Suresh Mehtre told DNA that internal roads, especially in Bhosari, Chinchwad, Chikhali-Kudalwadi and Talawade are in terrible condition. Transport vehicles are unable to use these roads and even workers are unable to ride their two-wheelers there.

Road users said the PCMC's failure to carry out repair and maintenance of several roads before the monsoon has resulted in this vastly deteriorated condition this year.

Small scale industrialists have expressed anger over the shoddy work ethic of the civic administration, stating that while the PCMC collects taxes from them, they do not offer basic facilities for industries.

"In the Chikhali industrial area, nearly 800 industrial units are located. However, the roads are very narrow and full of potholes. Vehicles face enormous hurdles to enter this locality. Transporters have refused to enter this area from Friday," Mehtre said.

Commuters and industrialists said although the PCMC had introduced an SMS service to register complaints, there are no visible results.

Contacted by DNA, PCMC's engineering department co-ordinator, Dilip Kudale, said it was true that the "pothole SMS service" was not functional over the past few months as the officer in-charge was transferred to election duty. Kudale failed to provide an explanation with regard to the poor condition of the roads.