Pune: Tender To Fix Steep Slope Near Gangadham Chowk Canceled Under Political Pressure, Alleged Opposition After Fatal Accident
Pune: Tender To Fix Steep Slope Near Gangadham Chowk Canceled Under Political Pressure, Alleged Opposition After Fatal Accident
Pune | June 12, 2025
In the wake of yet another fatal accident near Gangadham Chowk, opposition parties have accused the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) of canceling a crucial road safety tender under political pressure. The tender was meant to reduce the steep gradient between Kondhwa and Gangadham Chowk — a stretch notorious for accidents.
The PMC had initiated the tender process to rectify the slope after repeated incidents raised safety concerns. However, opposition parties, including the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar faction) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, have alleged that the ₹11 crore tender was canceled due to pressure from ruling party leaders.
Local residents and political representatives claim that had the project gone forward, lives could have been saved. Wednesday’s accident, in which a truck heading from Market Yard towards Bibwewadi collided with a two-wheeler, resulted in the on-the-spot death of a female pillion rider and left the rider critically injured.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident from last year, when a woman lost her life at the same location. Following that accident, citizens had submitted multiple petitions to the civic body demanding that the slope near the Aai Mata Mandir be reduced to prevent further mishaps.
Despite receiving several tenders and appointing a consultant, PMC’s Road Department canceled the process without explanation. On May 22, the NCP again submitted a memorandum requesting urgent action — but it went unheeded.
After Wednesday’s fatality triggered widespread anger among residents, civic groups, and political parties, PMC officials stated that the tender process will now be reinitiated. Meanwhile, as a temporary measure, rumble strips will be installed to slow down vehicles, and a request has been sent to traffic police to restrict the movement of heavy vehicles on the stretch.
Citizens have urged the PMC to act swiftly this time and ensure no more lives are lost due to administrative delays and political interference.
