As if the embarrassment caused by President Droupadi Murmu's letter to the Pune Police about the city's pothole-ridden roads wasn't enough, the venue for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming function in Pune turned into a muddy swamp in just 20 minutes of rain, with surrounding roads becoming waterlogged on Tuesday.
The visuals of the flooded rally venue and surrounding roads have caused a major uproar on social media. Recently, the Pune civic body came under scrutiny for the pothole-ridden roads in the city after the President highlighted the issue in a letter to the Pune Police.
Modi to sound poll bugle in Pune rally
Ironically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit is being framed as a showcase of the BJP's developmental agenda, particularly highlighting major infrastructure achievements. This is also being considered as a raly where PM Modi will sound a poll bugle for upcoming state assembly election.
One of the key events will be the official inauguration of Pune's underground metro stretch from Shivajinagar to Swargate, marking a major advancement in the city's metro network. Additionally, Modi will lay the foundation stone for several important projects, including the long-awaited memorial at Bhide Wada, the historic site where Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule established India’s first school for girls.
Leaders slam BJP
Mukund Kirdat, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, said, "In a few minutes of rain, the entire city roads have become rivers. Yesterday, we protested in front of the PMC building regarding the potholes in the city, and the civic body always claims that they will repair the roads. They say that the material used to fill the potholes gets washed away by the water, but patching the road every year is not the solution. They don't hold the contractors accountable or blacklist them or take any action against them. They tend to just ignore the situation and use taxpayers' money to do the repair work. However, every contractor signs a terms of reliability while constructing roads. They should be held responsible. The quality of material used for the repair is too poor. The other reason for the ignorance could be their close ties with the contractors."
Piyush Chavan, a student, said, "We need a boat to commute in monsoons or during rains in Pune now. My friends and I were actually having this conversation. Pune is losing its glory and is becoming just like other defamed cities in the country. Once known for its cleanliness, now known as a city of cyclists and for its weather and greenery, it is losing its charm only because our administration is incompetent."
Speaking on road conditions, Congress leader Mohan Joshi said, "Last week, the respected President visited the city, and she gave a return complaint to the PMC regarding potholes. This is a shame for the PMC and the ruling party. Authorities should think about this."
Farookh Shaikh, a resident of Sadashiv Peth, said, "Waterlogging is not new; the PMC drainage department has no plan. Just in 20 minutes of rain, the result is on the road. PMC officers are active for a short time period because of Modi's visit; this condition should be the same on the day of the Prime Minister's visit to the city. He should also know about the city’s condition. Residents are struggling with basic facilities."
The politicians were also quick to point out the visits by PM Modi to launch each Metro stretch. NCP city head Prashant Jagtap, speaking to FPJ, said, "This is childish activity; how many times can a Prime Minister visit a single city just for a metro inauguration? It is okay if the metro stretch is long and the first time happening in the city. This is unbelievable and totally belongs to the political perspective."
Mohan Joshi, Congress leader, speaking to Free Press Journal, said, "Prime Minister Modi ji is misleading the Punekars. The metro foundation in the city was started eight years ago; however, the first phase of the work is still incomplete. For every 4 km stretch, such as Vanaj to Garware, Vanaj to Ruby Hall, and Ruby Hall to Ramwadi, the Prime Minister visited for the inauguration. This is just a showcase propaganda. Similarly, the airport was inaugurated five months back, but it was operational just two months back. This is just a matter of election and trying to get public attention."
