Pune Municipal Corporation Implements New Road Concreting Restrictions
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced a significant policy shift to curb the rampant concreting of city roads. Effective immediately, the civic body will restrict and limit concreting on roads measuring between 6 and 12 metres in width, while completely prohibiting such concreting on roads below 6 metres in width. This decisive move comes in response to severe waterlogging witnessed across Pune following a heavy unseasonal downpour, highlighting the urgent need for more sustainable urban infrastructure practices.
Addressing Urban Flooding Concerns
Urban planners have strongly supported the PMC's decision, emphasizing that unnecessary and unscientific concreting of roads significantly increases the risk of flash floods in the city. By reducing impermeable surfaces, the new policy aims to enhance natural water absorption and drainage, thereby mitigating flooding during monsoon seasons. Naval Kishore Ram, Commissioner of PMC, elaborated on the initiative, stating, "The new policy will ensure that small roads are not built using concrete. It will also be mandatory to complete all utility lines and drainage lines before building bigger concrete roads." This approach prioritizes comprehensive infrastructure planning over hasty construction, aiming to create more resilient road networks.
Public and Activist Perspectives
Commuters and civic activists have welcomed the move but stress the need for long-lasting solutions to road quality and environmental friendliness. While concreting is often promoted for its durability compared to traditional tarring, citizens argue that such works must consider broader requirements and surroundings. Civic activist Vijay Kumbhar raised concerns about political motivations, alleging, "Road concreting is promoted by local politicos for their vested interests. Many elected members get these roads concreted as a popular measure. It should be avoided. Bylanes and small roads in particular should not be unnecessarily concreted." This sentiment underscores the need for transparent and scientifically sound urban development.
Residents like Ashwini Pathak from Satara Road shared firsthand experiences, noting, "Even when roads are concreted in our areas, waterlogging and stagnation persist every monsoon. Concrete roads should help prevent issues like waterlogging and potholes. But this is not the case on ground." Such feedback highlights the gap between intended benefits and actual outcomes, prompting calls for better implementation and maintenance.
Criticism of Unscientific Practices
BJP member and activist Sandip Khardekar from Creative Foundation criticized the current state of road concreting as unscientific and haphazard. He pointed out, "Housing societies and residents near Karvenagar have been suffering for the last few years due to waterlogging. Works like laying pipelines should be carried out properly before laying concrete over roads. Half-done works ultimately lead to major flash-flooding." This critique aligns with the PMC's new mandate for completing utility and drainage lines prior to concreting, aiming to prevent such issues and ensure more effective infrastructure projects.
PMC's Road Infrastructure Overview
Civic data reveals that PMC manages an extensive road network spanning 2,273 kilometres, with key roads covering 270 kilometres. For the financial year 2026-27, the corporation has allocated a substantial budget of Rs 1,505 crore for roads and related infrastructure. This funding underscores the importance of strategic investments in sustainable urban planning, as the new concreting restrictions seek to optimize resource use and enhance public safety in Pune's rapidly growing landscape.
