Pune: Are Hinjawadi’s Roads Truly Being Fixed, or Is This Just a Temporary Solution?

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Hinjawadi, 10th September 2024: Hinjawadi, the IT hub of Pune District, where people from across India find employment, has been facing several civic issues, including deteriorating road conditions. A blame game ensued between the administrations, but no concrete action was taken.

However, on 5th September, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) issued a notice to Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited (PITCMRL), asking them to repair the roads within the next 15 days. The streets in Hinjawadi are now showing signs of repair, and residents are hopeful that positive changes will finally take place.

Hinjawadi roads have always been busy, with thousands of commuters travelling to offices in the area. Metro construction began in Hinjawadi in 2020, and while the metro was expected to solve the region’s problems, its construction has worsened the situation. Roads became riddled with potholes, blind spots emerged, traffic worsened, and the number of accidents increased. Heavy rains this year, compared to last year, have further battered the roads.

Residents began voicing their concerns by writing to local politicians, filing complaints, sending emails, and involving the media. Only after these efforts did the PMRDA finally take action, issuing a notice to PITCMRL. The notice cited PITCMRL for neglecting road repairs along the Maan Hinjawadi to Wakad route, which had been damaged during metro construction. The PMRDA gave PITCMRL a 15-day deadline to repair the roads or face the possible suspension of metro work. Complaints from motorists and residents prompted this action, with officials stressing the need for immediate repairs to prevent further disruption.

While residents acknowledge that roadwork has begun, they point out that many issues remain unresolved. Roads connecting Mhalunge to Hinjawadi (Phase 3) and Sus to Phase 3 are still in dire condition, with large potholes. The service roads connecting the Mumbai-Bengaluru National Highway (Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass section) to Hinjawadi are also in poor shape. Despite the repairs initiated by PITCMRL following the PMRDA notice, residents say the work is far from complete.

One resident of Phase 3 Hinjawadi shared, “I guess the work from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is finished, but the road from Phase 2 to Phase 3 is still unfinished. Many internal roads are also being ignored. There are multiple administrations in charge of the roads here, including the Gram Panchayat, PMRDA, PWD, and MIDC. Each road falls under a different authority, making it exhausting for us to even raise these issues.”

Roads Solved, Problem Gone?
Although the administration is now focusing on the road deterioration problem, there are still many issues that the residents of Hinjawadi face. Along with the roads, traffic remains a constant problem, as do pollution, water supply, electricity, and other major challenges the city’s residents must deal with. While road repairs may be a start, residents feel it is only the beginning of addressing the larger issues.