Pune: The civic administration on Tuesday inspected five major immersion procession routes in the city’s central areas and directed officials to repair footpaths, potholes and damaged road stretches within two days — ahead of Friday’s Ganesh visarjan processions.PMC deputy commissioner Madhav Jagtap led the inspection of Laxmi Road, Kelkar Road, Tilak Road, Kumthekar Road and Shastri Road. The move follows complaints from residents in the city’s central areas about broken footpaths and uneven road surfaces. “Road department officials have been directed to prioritise footpath repairs to ensure smooth movement of devotees during the processions,” a senior civic official said.Thousands of devotees participate in the immersion processions every year, with major crowding expected on Laxmi Road, Alka Talkies Chowk, Belbaug Chowk, Tilak Road and Kumthekar Road. “Repair work had already been carried out near Shaniwarwada, Laxmi Road and Bajirao Road, and similar work is being extended to other locations,” the official said.PMC has also instructed the solid waste management department to prepare a post-procession cleaning and garbage disposal plan, while locations for temporary toilets along the routes are being finalised. “A crowd-management strategy is being worked out in coordination with Pune police,” another official said.PMC officials said all obstacles on immersion routes would be cleared within the next two days. The civic body has also warned mandals and social organisations against setting up pandals, arches or other structures on roads without prior permission, warning of strict action.
