Pune Pothole Problem: A Citizen’s Guide To Reporting Bad Roads And Demanding Accountability

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

Let’s be honest—if you live in Pune and commute daily, potholes are part of your life. You’ve probably spilled tea in an auto, hit a nasty bump on your two-wheeler, or muttered a few choice words while driving over a crater. I get it—I’ve been there too.

When I came across the Indian Express article about the damaged roads in Nigdi, Akurdi, and Tathawade, I didn’t just nod in agreement. I felt it in my bones. So instead of just sharing that article and moving on, I decided to write this. Not just to rant, but to give all of us a proper toolkit to fight back—with facts, steps, and a bit of attitude.

🕳️ The Anatomy of a Pothole – Why Pune’s Roads Keep Failing

I used to think potholes just ‘happened’ every monsoon. But digging a bit deeper (pun intended), here’s what I found:

1. Poor Quality Materials

Most of our roads use basic tar. It’s like building a house with cardboard during monsoon season. Durable options exist, but we rarely get them.

2. Bad Drainage

Water is the ultimate villain. Rainwater seeps in, breaks the surface, and before you know it—another new pothole joins the party.

3. No Accountability

Ever heard of the Defect Liability Period (DLP)? Yeah, me neither—until recently. It means the contractor who built the road is supposed to fix it if it breaks down within 2–3 years. But how often does that happen? Exactly.

🧭 Who’s Responsible? (Because We Need to Tag the Right People)

One of the biggest confusions is: who do I even complain to? Here’s a cheat sheet I made:

Road Area	Authority
Nigdi, Akurdi, Tathawade	PCMC
Central Pune	PMC
Expressways & Highways	NHAI

When in doubt, just call your local ward office and ask.

📲 How to File an Effective Complaint (That Actually Gets Noticed)

Here’s how I started reporting potholes last year—and actually got a few fixed!

Step 1: Use the Official Apps & Portals

PMC: pmc.gov.in
PCMC: pcmcindia.gov.in or download the Smart Sarathi app

Step 2: WhatsApp the Helpline

PMC: 9689939628
PCMC: 8888006666

Step 3: Old School Call

Ring up the ward office. Be firm, not rude. Ask for a complaint number.

Click a clear photo and tag:

@PMCPune
@PCMC_India
Use hashtags like #PuneRoads #FixOurStreet #PotholeAlert

📋 Your Pothole Complaint Checklist

Before you hit send, check these:

📍 Pinpoint Location (Drop a Google Maps pin)
📷 Clear Photo (Put a bottle or shoe next to the pothole for scale)
🗓️ Date of Complaint
🔢 Save the Ticket/Reference Number

Trust me, this helps when following up.

🚧 Problem Spot Tracker (Updated July 10, 2025)

I’ve started tracking repairs myself. If you notice updates, DM me and I’ll include them here:

Location	Authority	Complaint Status	Repair Status
Nigdi-Akurdi Road	PCMC	Filed (10/07/25)	Pending
Tathawade Main Rd	PCMC	Acknowledged	Tender Issued
Bopodi-Aundh Link	PMC	Filed (12/07/25)	In Progress

💠 Long-Term Solutions (Yes, There’s Hope!)

PCMC is trying white-topped concrete roads—these last longer.
PMC is testing contractor-tracking apps (finally!)
More citizen reports = more action. Let’s keep that pressure on.

💬 Final Words from a Frustrated But Hopeful Punekar

I wrote this not just as a blogger but as a fellow commuter who’s dodged one too many craters. This blog is my way of saying: enough is enough. Let’s stop just complaining in group chats and start acting.

Every pothole fixed is one less headache for someone like you or me.

So the next time your tyre hits a ditch—pause, click a photo, and raise your voice. Together, we can fix Pune’s roads, one bump at a time.

– A fed-up but hopeful commuter, writing for puneripages.in