President’s Convoy Faced Pothole Woes in Pune; Municipal Authorities Urged to Act Before PM Modi’s Visit

Pune, 22nd September 2024: Potholes in Pune, already a persistent nuisance for the city’s residents, have now attracted national attention after President Droupadi Murmu’s convoy encountered significant issues during her visit to the city earlier this month. The President was in Pune on September 2nd and 3rd, staying at Raj Bhavan. While attending various programs across the city, her convoy struggled with the poor road conditions, particularly the potholes, leading to a formal complaint from the President’s office to the Pune Police.

In response, the Pune Police have written to the Municipal Commissioner, urging immediate action to repair the potholes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Pune on September 26. The police have stressed the need to ensure smoother roads, particularly given the displeasure expressed by the President’s office.

Pune’s roads have suffered due to ongoing metro construction, which the municipal corporation has cited as a primary reason for the increase in potholes. However, the responsibility for addressing the issue remains unclear, as the metro authorities and the municipal corporation appear to be passing the blame back and forth. With Prime Minister Modi’s visit imminent, it remains to be seen which agency will take responsibility and complete the necessary road repairs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Pune on September 26 to inaugurate the long-awaited Shivajinagar to Swargate metro line. During his visit, he will also conduct the bhoomipujan (groundbreaking ceremony) for the underground metro extension from Swargate to Katraj. Following these events, the Prime Minister will attend a program organized by the Shikshan Prasarak Mandali at the SP College grounds.

The Pune administration is making all necessary arrangements for the Prime Minister’s stay.

On September 27, PM Modi will participate in the ‘Developed India’ program at the Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, with the event scheduled between 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm. There is also speculation that he may meet with leaders of the Grand Alliance (Mahayuti) in Maharashtra to discuss strategies for the upcoming assembly elections.

Later that evening, PM Modi will attend another ‘Developed India’ event at Tukaram Jagannath College in Khadki before departing for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. His visit is seen as a crucial part of political preparations ahead of the assembly elections.