**Pimpri-Chinchwad: Maha Metro Begins Repair Work on Pothole-Ridden Service Road of Old Mumbai-Pune Highway**
After widespread public outrage and multiple reports in the media, Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (Maha Metro) has finally initiated repair work on the heavily damaged service road along the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway. The road, which stretches from Bhakti-Shakti Chowk in Nigdi to the Chinchwad Railway Station Chowk, had developed numerous potholes due to ongoing metro construction activities.
The Free Press Journal (FPJ) had extensively covered this issue, highlighting residents’ complaints and the slow response from authorities. The damaged road has caused significant inconvenience to daily commuters, especially during peak hours when traffic congestion often resulted in vehicles taking over half an hour to cover just five kilometers.
### Background
The repair work is linked to the Pimpri to Nigdi extended metro route currently underway on the Purple Line of Pune Metro. This line connects the Pimpri-Chinchwad area to Swargate. For the project, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) had handed over the service road and BRT route of the Old Mumbai-Pune Highway—from Nigdi’s Bhakti-Shakti Chowk to Empire Estate in Chinchwad, covering approximately 4.5 kilometers—to Maha Metro. With this transfer, Maha Metro became responsible for the maintenance and repair of the road.
Metro construction activities on this stretch include road digging, erection of pillars, and viaduct work. To ensure safety and facilitate construction, Maha Metro installed barricades along the route, narrowing the service road significantly. Additionally, footpaths were dug up and temporarily converted into roadways.
### Issues Faced by Residents
Residents reported that the narrowed road, coupled with heavy vehicular traffic and recent rains, resulted in numerous potholes developing on concrete surfaces, asphalt roads, and footpaths. Traffic snarls during peak hours led to long queues and slow movement, aggravating commuter frustration.
PCMC sent three letters to Maha Metro requesting urgent repairs to the service road. However, the initial lack of response added to public dissatisfaction.
### Road Repair Work Commences
Under mounting public pressure and media scrutiny, Maha Metro finally agreed to undertake permanent road repairs. In coordination with traffic authorities, Maha Metro’s Managing Director, Shravan Hardikar, requested phased temporary road closures and traffic diversions to enable unhindered repair work.
Following these arrangements, road repairs commenced on Tuesday, focusing on asphalting the stretch from Nigdi to Chinchwad Station. Officials stated that the work started only after the rains subsided to ensure effective repairs.
Bapusaheb Gaikwad, Joint City Engineer of PCMC, commented:
*”We had corresponded with the Metro administration regarding the repair of the service road. With the end of the rainy season, the Metro has undertaken the road repair work. Asphalting is being done on the road. Instructions have been given to complete the work quickly.”*
The repair work is expected to significantly improve the condition of this critical stretch, making it pothole-free and easing traffic woes for daily commuters.
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*This marks a positive step towards addressing the concerns of residents affected by the metro construction and enhancing urban infrastructure in Pimpri-Chinchwad.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/fpj-impact-maha-metro-begins-repair-of-pothole-ridden-old-mumbai-pune-highway-service-road-in-pimpri-chinchwad