Mrudula Narale
Tuesday night, around 11 PM, raising alarm over safety during the ongoing Pune Metro extension from Pimpri to Nigdi’s Bhakti-Shakti Chowk. The incident, which occurred when traffic was minimal, caused no casualties but damaged the separator, spotlighting persistent hazards like congestion, dust, debris, potholes, and poorly placed barricades along the construction route.
Pune | May 15, 2025: The 4.519-km metro corridor sanctioned by the Central Government on October 21, 2023, is being undertaken by Pune Maha Metro for an estimated cost of ₹910.18 crore with a completion deadline in three years. Foundation activities and segment casting are taking place at a rapid pace, especially along the Chinchwad section with 151 pillars to be built. Large pillar installations are finished from Bhakti-Shakti Chowk to Bajaj Auto in Akurdi, but the hasty rush to complete work within deadlines has raised questions regarding structural stability and public safety.
The Chinchwad station collapse highlights these concerns. The old Pune-Mumbai highway, a vital artery, is marred by heavy traffic, compounded by metro work. Potholes are left unfilled, and half-done asphalt repairs compound motorists’ misery. Construction blanket dust covers neighboring roads, houses, and shops, with indiscriminately placed roadblocks causing traffic congestion and danger. Motorcyclists and pedestrians are exposed to increased danger, with authorities turning a deaf ear to grievances. Residents, traders, and shopkeepers have been frustrated by the lackadaisical planning of metro work, dreading more accidents.
Heavy traffic crawling on the choked section from Nigdi to Chinchwad is especially tough, with long lines during rush hours. The mix of potholes, trash, and inadequately maintained barricades heightens the risk of crashes. In spite of measures to curtail jams, the absence of effective monitoring has made passengers vulnerable. Metro authorities are also facing the heat, with investigations initiated by MahaMetro and an independent investigation by the concerned department to examine the possibility of negligence. Stern action is assured in case of lapses.
The project, which is linked to local development, has not received sufficient attention from elected officials, so residents have had to deal with dangerous situations without proper remedies. The collapse has further stirred demands for enhanced safety protocols, enhanced traffic management, and responsibility in building processes. With metro construction racing to the finish line, it is essential to address these concerns to rebuild citizens’ confidence and protect passengers and locals from dangers.
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