Pune, 27th August 2024: Several Ganesha mandals in Pune have come under scrutiny for causing road damage while setting up Mandap structures for the upcoming Ganeshotsav festival. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has received multiple complaints from citizens regarding the digging of pits by these mandals.

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale has issued a stern warning, stating that it is the responsibility of the mandals to restore the roads after their preparations, and failure to do so could result in serious consequences.

Dr. Bhosale emphasized that if the Ganesha mandals have dug any pits, they must refill them and restore the affected areas to their original condition. He warned that if the mandals neglect this responsibility, they could face legal action, and the permissions granted to them by the municipality might be revoked.

The warning comes at a time when the city is already grappling with numerous potholes due to heavy rains over the past few days. The downpour has worsened the condition of the roads, with many old potholes reappearing and new ones forming in various parts of the city. In response to the deteriorating road conditions, Dr. Bhosale has directed the road department to launch a special campaign to repair the potholes.

He stated that the PMC will initiate a focused drive to fill the potholes as soon as the weather permits. This campaign will be conducted prior to Ganesh Chaturthi, with a similar effort planned five days before Anant Chaturdashi. Dr. Bhosale assured that once the monsoon season ends, the roads will be fully repaired.

“With the city roads in such poor condition, we will take immediate action to address the potholes as soon as the rain subsides. A special drive will be conducted before Ganesh Chaturthi and another before Anant Chaturdashi to ensure the roads are safe and navigable,” said Dr. Bhosale.