After Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, potholes emerge on Rs 6,695-crore Pune-Mumbai Expressway just 2 months after inauguration

Barely two months after the Pune-Mumbai Expressway Missing Link was inaugurated, pothole-like patches have appeared on the newly opened stretch following the first few spells of monsoon rain, raising questions over construction quality.

The damaged patches surfaced on the 13.3-km Missing Link project, inaugurated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on May 1, prompting the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to order immediate repairs.

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According to a report in the Times of India, the issue came to light after a commuter shared a video of the damaged road on social media, drawing criticism from motorists. Following the viral video, the MSRDC issued a warning to the contractor and directed stricter monitoring of the stretch.

A senior MSRDC official said the contractor has been instructed to conduct mandatory inspections every two hours to ensure that any defects are identified and repaired immediately.

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Responding to the controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said reports claiming that potholes had developed across the entire Missing Link were incorrect. He clarified that only two potholes had appeared at the connector section and assured that any issues highlighted on social media would be inspected and rectified if necessary.

According to MSRDC officials, the defects were caused by inadequate bonding between the bitumen wearing course and the underlying concrete layer at a few locations. They said repair work was taken up immediately after the defects were identified.

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Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the government had taken note of the issue and that the contractor was responsible for carrying out repairs during the project's defect liability period.

The incident has sparked criticism from commuters, who questioned how a flagship infrastructure project developed surface damage even before the peak monsoon months.

One Pune-based commuter said it was concerning that the road showed signs of deterioration after only a few spells of rain, while another questioned whether a Rs 6,695-crore expressway should require repairs so soon after opening.

MSRDC Joint Managing Director Rajesh Patil attributed the problem to the leakage of motor oil, petrol and diesel from vehicles. He said these petroleum products dissolve the hydrocarbon binders in bitumen, weakening the road surface at spill locations and making it more susceptible to damage under heavy traffic and rainfall.

Patil added that continuous traffic and monsoon showers were the primary factors behind the potholes and that surveillance and maintenance of the expressway had been intensified to ensure prompt repairs.

The controversy comes just days after potholes were reported on the Rs 12,000-crore Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, triggering a similar debate over the quality of newly built expressways.