Taking advantage of lighter traffic during the Diwali long weekend, residents of Hinjawadi, Maan and Marunji have urged authorities to finish all pending road repairs and safety works on routes connecting Hinjawadi IT Park. Roads leading to the IT Park and nearby areas are in poor shape, with potholes and uneven surfaces slowing vehicles, adding to congestion through the day and frustrating residents and IT professionals. Last week, the District Collector issued an ultimatum to PMRDA and other agencies to repair damaged roads, and work has started on several stretches. Villagers say many important works are still incomplete and want all agencies to coordinate and finish them during the holidays.
Their demands include filling potholes on major and internal roads, levelling uneven surfaces, building roadside shoulders, proper lane markings, zebra crossings at accident-prone spots, blinkers and signboards, removing obstructions and clearing footpath encroachments. A former deputy sarpanch of Maan said missing shoulders, lane markings and zebra crossings are an open invitation to accidents, and uneven road edges add to the risk. A former sarpanch of Hinjawadi urged agencies to inspect every road connecting the IT Park so they are ready before regular office traffic resumes. Safe roads for lakhs of commuters, they say, would be the best Diwali gift. The holiday window is short and the pending list is long.