Pune's Pothole Crisis: A Daily Battle Every Commuter Knows Too Well

By Prashant for PuneriPages.in

Every Punekar has a pothole story. Mine starts on Karve Road, where my scooty’s front tyre vanished into a crater so deep I thought I time-traveled. Spoiler: I didn’t. But I did spend Rs 1,800 at the mechanic the next day. This isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a cycle of damage, delay, and danger that repeats every monsoon like a cruel city tradition.

Potholes in Pune: Not Just Bumps, But a Broken System

Let’s stop blaming the rain. Yes, it pours, but the roads crumble not because of the clouds, but because of careless planning and zero accountability. Contractors cut corners. Materials are often subpar. And no one really double-checks the work once it’s done. We end up with roads that last only as long as a celebrity wedding.

Uneven Drain Covers: The Hidden Traps That Bite Harder Than Potholes

If the potholes don’t get you, the drain covers will. You know the ones—sitting a good 3 inches below or above the road surface, ready to jolt your spine or your suspension. I spoke to a friend who rides a bike to college daily. She has started scheduling extra time not for traffic, but for navigating around these invisible speed-breakers.

This Isn’t Just About Roads. It’s About Health, Time, and Safety.

Mechanics in Pune told me they see dozens of pothole-related damages every week. Broken suspensions. Bent rims. Worn-out tires. Meanwhile, an orthopedic doctor in Kothrud said he sees a rise in lower back issues every monsoon. The culprit? “Poor posture from poor roads,” he said, half-laughing, half-resigned.

So Who’s Accountable? The PMC Must Answer.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) collects crores in taxes. Yet, roads fall apart within months of being laid. Why aren’t there stricter penalty clauses for contractors? Why does every repair feel like a Band-Aid on a bullet wound? When will the patchwork cycle end?

And don’t even get me started on the tender process. Transparency is a word they throw around, but actual data on which contractors got which road work? Good luck finding that.

Your Voice Matters. Here’s How You Can Help.

Let’s not wait for the next viral video of someone falling into a pothole. Take action:

Spot a pothole? Report it on the PMC Grievance Portal.
Be specific. Mention exact location and attach a photo.
Tag @PMCPune and @PMCPunecorporation on Twitter with images.

Trust me, these small steps add up. Pressure works when it’s consistent.

Final Thought: This City Deserves Better.

Pune isn’t just IT parks and Misal Pav. It’s a city of hardworking people who deserve roads that don’t injure their backs or eat their wallets. The pothole crisis isn’t seasonal anymore—it’s structural. And unless we speak up, we’re just going to keep dodging the same holes year after year.

So the next time you hit a pothole, don’t just curse. Click. Report. Demand better. Because silence is the only road that leads nowhere.