After facing months of public outcry over dangerously deteriorated roads, the Local Military Authority (LMA) has finally initiated major repair work across the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) area. The long-pending project aims to fix numerous arterial and internal roads severely damaged by this year's heavy monsoon rains.
Monsoon Damage and Public Frustration
Excessive rainfall during the monsoon season left several crucial roads in a state of disrepair. Key stretches including East Street, MG Road, Coyaji Road, and Kauhan Road, along with sections of the busy Pune-Solapur highway passing through the cantonment, were riddled with large potholes, uneven surfaces, and waterlogged patches. These routes serve as vital links for both civilian and military traffic, witnessing heavy movement throughout the day.
Local residents and daily commuters had repeatedly raised alarms about the worsening conditions, which led to frequent vehicle breakdowns, severe traffic snarls, and an increased risk of accidents. The poor state of the roads also impacted local businesses, with shopkeepers reporting a drop in footfall and difficulties in accessing essential services.
Administrative Hurdles and Commencement of Work
Officials explained that the repair work could not be taken up immediately due to the time-consuming completion of mandatory tender procedures, which caused significant delays. A senior LMA official stated, "The work already commenced, and the repairs are being carried out in a proper and systematic manner to cater to the volume of traffic that passes through the cantonment." Priority is being given to the most damaged roads.
The official detailed that the Military Engineering Services will soon begin work on 4.5 kilometres of roads in both military and civil pockets. Initial repairs have already been completed on several critical stretches:
- The stretch on MM Road from Council Hall junction to the National War Memorial, Southern Command.
- Arjun Road from the war memorial to Turf Club junction.
- Moledina Road from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Chowk to Mahesh Lunch Home.
- East Street, MG Road, Solapur Road, and Kondhwa Road.
The official also noted that the Pune Municipal Corporation had previously repaired some of these roads on the PCB's request.
Phased Repairs and Calls for Future Coordination
To minimize disruption on these key connectors between the cantonment and the rest of Pune, the repair work is being executed in phases. Authorities are coordinating traffic management measures with local police to ensure smoother movement during the construction period.
However, residents and activists have emphasized the need for timely completion and long-term durability. They have called for better coordination between military and civilian authorities to prevent such prolonged delays in the future, especially where public safety and convenience are concerned.
Activist Rajabhau Chavan remarked, "Ideally, the maintenance of these roads should have been done much earlier. Regular commuters are already facing a tough time. But yes, this repair work will bring some relief to them. The authorities concerned should avoid such long delay in the future." A trader from MG Road echoed the sentiment of neglect, stating that repair work should have been undertaken during the monsoon itself.
