Anwesha Dash, Pune
Pune police makes note of 35 spots that need repairs and maintenance in the city and hands it out to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Pune. Speculations arise that the Pune police has taken this caution after President Murmu’s office issued a letter to the civic body and authorities, expressing their dissatisfaction with the roads and urging them to take action before the PM’s visit.
The 35 spots referred to in the list have issues such as potholes, under-construction, broken streetlights and damaged drains leading to sewage on the side of the roads. All these problem spots are located on the route that is to be taken by the PM during his visit to Pune on 26th September.
PM Modi will be in the city to attend two programmes. One of the events is the inauguration of a new metro corridor that will be travelling from Civil Court to Swargate. Apart from that, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to lay down the foundation stone for a memorial commemorating the first girls’ school started by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule in Bhide Wada. Both of these projects along with PM Modi’s visit are highly anticipated by the public.
As a result, Pune Police has directed the PMC to take swift action and start repairs on the spots located along the route of the visit. Aniruddha Pawaskar, the PMC road department chief, has stated that repairs are underway. Roadworks including resurfacing of speed breakers is being carried out and will be completed before the PM’s arrival in the city.
Sources claim that both the Pune Police and PMC are taking caution to make sure the roadways are in good condition due to the letter sent by President Murmu’s office. Earlier this month, after President Droupadi Murmu visited the city, a letter addressed to the police and PMC was sent from her office. The letter expressed grievances of the President while travelling on Pune roads. The letter also demanded that the civic body should take swift action to repair the city roads before the PM’s arrival on 26th September.