Potholes on Mumbai-Bangalore Highway Stretch Passing Through Pune Discussed in Parliament, MP Barne Raises Question | Watch Gadkari’s Reply
MP Shrirang Barne raised a question regarding bad condition of NH-4 passing through Pune due to potholes.
In yesterday’s Parliament session, a question was raised by Maval MP Shrirang Barne regarding the condition of the national highway that runs through Maval taluka in the Pune district. The stretch of NH 4, from Ravet-Chandani Chowk to Kolhapur, is maintained by Reliance Infrastructure Company.
Replying to the question, the Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said, “The heavy monsoon this year has resulted in numerous potholes on this highway, heavily deteriorating its condition. There was a call to scrap the existing contract for road maintenance and initiate the process for a new one. We are looking into its legal aspects.”
The Union Minister revealed that his ministry was exploring legal avenues to initiate a new proposal, which will address the root causes of this issue. However he said his ministry was looking for a foolproof solution, as taking any one-sided decision with regards to canceling of road maintenance contract may result in lengthy legal process and the courts staying the ministry’s decision. He said we were looking a ‘win-win situation’.
The potholes on Mumbai-Bangalore Highway NH-4 stretch that passes through Pune are so bad that were part of discussion in the Parliament.
— Punenow News (@itspunenow) August 9, 2024
Maval MP Shrirang Barne raised a question…watch the reply from Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport #Pune #punenews #Morth pic.twitter.com/3jtULKYxSQ
The statistics are not very encouraging – a 30% increase in potholes on the highway since monsoon onset, over 100 potholes reported on the affected stretch, 50+ accidents reported on the highway in the past month, and 10,000+ daily commuters affected.
The Union Ministry is expected to announce timelines for the new proposal shortly, bringing hope to the residents of Maval taluka and commuters who rely on this critical infrastructure. Local authorities have initiated temporary repair works to mitigate the situation, but a long-term solution is eagerly awaited.
