Pune News: Illegal Ganesh Arches Collapse on Pune-Alandi Road, Citizens Demand FIR Against Mandals
Three large steel arches allegedly installed without civic permission collapsed on the Pune-Alandi Road in Dighi after heavy rain and strong winds. The incident blocked both carriageways for nearly five hours, prompting citizens to demand FIRs against those responsible.
Pune: Three massive steel arches installed along the busy Pune-Alandi Road in Dighi collapsed on Monday evening following heavy rain and strong winds, causing a major traffic disruption and raising concerns over public safety.
The arches collapsed across both carriageways at around 4:30 pm. According to the report, the structures remained on the road for several hours, resulting in a traffic jam that lasted for nearly five hours. Traffic was restored around 10 pm after the structures were dismantled and removed.
The collapsed structures were reportedly large steel arches associated with Ganesh mandals. Residents have demanded criminal action against those responsible, arguing that the structures could have caused a serious accident if they had fallen during peak traffic.
Police and local residents worked together to manage the traffic situation, while Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) personnel used cutting equipment to dismantle the arches because of their size and weight. Dighi-Alandi traffic division officials said the clearance operation took around five to six hours.
The issue of permissions has also come under scrutiny. Rajesh Aagale, Deputy Commissioner of PCMC's Skyline Department, said that no permission had been granted for the three arches. He added that ward officials had been instructed to ensure that such structures are removed across the city.
Residents have questioned why the structures were allowed to remain over a public road despite allegedly lacking permission. They have demanded that responsibility be fixed and that an FIR be registered against those responsible.
Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Additional Commissioner Basavraj Teli said Dighi police had been directed to investigate the matter and verify the permissions. He said appropriate action would be initiated based on the investigation report.
The incident has also renewed concerns about the safety of temporary arches, hoardings and other festival-related structures installed during the monsoon, when heavy rain and strong winds can affect their stability.