Pimpri-Chinchwad Road Collapses After Rains

A key road connecting Ravet and Kiwale in Pimpri-Chinchwad has been closed for over a week after a portion of it collapsed following heavy rains. The road, which was constructed just a few months ago, caved in by around four to five feet near Narmada Park Housing Society.

The incident has raised questions over the quality of the road and the civic body's maintenance. Residents have alleged that despite the damage being reported days ago, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has not started repair work.

The closure has caused inconvenience to people in the Akurdi Station area who use the route as a shortcut to Ravet, Kiwale, Dehu Road, and the bypass. A resident of Narmada Park Housing Society said the road is the only direct route for many people in the area and urged the civic body to repair it immediately.

He also questioned how a newly built road could develop such damage within a few months. The resident claimed that the road collapsed because rainwater collects at the spot.

Responding to the issue, PCMC Assistant Commissioner and A Regional Ward Officer Nivedita Gharge said an inspection had been carried out at the site. She said the civic body has issued a notice to the concerned builder and sought an explanation.

The notice stated that debris had been dumped illegally in the natural nallah bed and its buffer zone near Sector 26, Plot No. 156, which obstructed the natural flow of rainwater and could lead to flooding in the area.

The PCMC has directed the person concerned to remove the debris immediately, warning that legal action would be taken under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act and local body rules if the directions were not followed.

Meanwhile, local residents have demanded that the damaged road be repaired on a war footing to restore normal traffic movement and prevent further inconvenience. The PCMC has assured that appropriate action will be taken after receiving the builder's reply and a report from the civil department.

The incident highlights the need for proper maintenance and inspection of roads, especially during the monsoon season. The PCMC must take immediate action to repair the damaged road and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.

The collapse of the road has also raised concerns about the safety of commuters and the need for the civic body to take proactive measures to prevent such incidents. The PCMC must work towards providing better infrastructure and services to the residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad.