Maharashtra: PWD App Set To Address Pothole Related Complaints, 72 Hour Deadline To Address Concerns  

The state Public Works Department (PWD) has unveiled a new app, the Pothole Complaint Redressal System (PCRS), aimed at addressing road issues. Launched on August 21 after rigorous testing by C-DAC, the app covers 1.18 lakh km of state highways. It allows citizens to report potholes using GPS and photo uploads, ensuring a strict 72-hour deadline for junior engineers to address complaints and 96 hours for deputy engineers to submit final reports.

In the first week, the PCRS app received 138 complaints, with 49 resolved so far. If deadlines are not met, complaints are escalated to the executive engineer level, potentially leading to show-cause notices for deliberate neglect. The Amravati region has reported the most complaints, with 62, followed by Pune with 58. Other regions, including Konkan, Nashik, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, have each reported fewer than five complaints.

Public reaction has been mixed. Mohan Ohol, a frequent traveler, criticized the timing of the launch, suggesting it should have been implemented in January to ensure better road conditions by April. Road expert Deepali Gandhi raised concerns about the effectiveness of temporary repairs during the monsoon season, fearing that heavy rains could wash them away, increasing risks for commuters.

The PWD has promised strict monitoring from November to ensure permanent solutions for road issues. 

Sancheti College

Sancheti College