Introduction:
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has officially identified 38 key locations across the city where improperly placed electric poles are causing significant traffic disruptions. This announcement comes after months of public complaints and a detailed survey conducted by the civic body’s traffic planning department.
Key Findings:
- The 38 identified hotspots span major arterial roads including:
- JM Road
- FC Road
- Satara Road
- Nagar Road
- Sinhagad Road
- Primary issues documented:
- Poles obstructing pedestrian pathways (62% of cases)
- Poles placed in middle of road widening projects (28%)
- Dangerous positioning near intersections (10%)
Official Statements:
PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar stated: “These identifications are part of our Smart City infrastructure overhaul. We’re coordinating with MSEDCL to systematically relocate problematic poles within the next 90 days.”
MSEDCL Pune Circle Chief Engineer Rajendra Pawar responded: “We acknowledge 24 of these cases fall under our jurisdiction. Relocation work will begin after monsoon season concludes.”
Public Reaction:
Transport activist Prashant Inamdar welcomed the move but cautioned: “This problem has persisted for years due to poor inter-department coordination. The PMC must ensure this isn’t another paper exercise.”
Action Plan:
Phase 1 (September-October 2023):
- 15 high-priority locations
- Estimated cost: ₹2.8 crore
Phase 2 (November-December 2023):
- Remaining 23 locations
- Additional ₹4.2 crore allocated
Conclusion:
While the identification of these 38 electric pole trouble spots marks progress, Pune citizens will be watching closely to see if the PMC can deliver on its promise to eliminate these traffic bottlenecks. The success of this initiative will depend on sustained coordination between civic authorities and electricity providers.
