PMC introduces new SOP to fix uneven drainage chambers, aims for smoother and safer city roads
PMC introduces new SOP to fix uneven drainage chambers, aims for smoother and safer city roads
Pune’s long struggle with bumpy manholes and uneven drainage chambers may soon come to an end, as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has rolled out a fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) designed to permanently fix the recurring issue. After years of spending crores on temporary repairs that failed to deliver lasting results, the civic body is now banking on a more scientific and structured approach to ensure safer roads for motorists and cyclists alike.
Kicking off the initiative on Friday, PMC’s road department began levelling drainage chambers across the city using advanced technology under the Pune Grand Challenge project. The timing is crucial, as Pune prepares to host an international cycling competition in January. As part of the preparations, the corporation plans to raise over 15,000 chambers along a 75-kilometre cycling route to match the road level, ensuring a smooth ride for participants.
For years, uneven manholes have been a major cause of potholes, road damage, and accidents. Previous attempts at fixing the problem were often undone by the absence of clear technical standards for contractors. The new SOP aims to correct this by defining a precise process — contractors will now cut the surrounding road area accurately, replace broken lids or damaged frames, and use a high-grade cement mix that sets within four to five hours. In cases where chambers are too deep, workers will install precast concrete rings before finishing the surface with a thin asphalt layer for a seamless finish.
PMC Superintendent Engineer Ashish Jadhav explained that the civic body allocates around ₹7–8 crore annually for footpath and chamber repairs, with nearly 30% of that amount spent solely on levelling uneven chambers. “All contractors have been directed to strictly follow the new SOP, and the work is already underway across several zones,” he said.
The initiative stems from a comprehensive survey conducted in December 2024, which identified more than 1,500 uneven drainage chambers across Pune. With the city housing over 50,000 chambers in total, officials believe this SOP could serve as a model for a full-scale levelling program across all roads if it proves successful in the pilot phase.
In addition, the PMC road department is launching a special campaign starting November 2 to make Pune’s roads pothole-free. The drive will target damages caused by metro construction, underground cabling, and the recent monsoon rains.
Residents, who have long voiced frustration over damaged roads and recurring manhole hazards, are hopeful that these two parallel initiatives will finally bring visible, lasting improvements. If executed effectively, this could mark a turning point for Pune’s civic infrastructure—where smoother roads no longer remain a distant promise but a daily reality.
