Pune Metro: Illegal Borewell Digging Damages Underground Tunnel in Shukrawar Peth, Case Registered Against Owner and Contractor

A serious incident has come to light from the Shukrawar Peth area of Pune, where a residential structure located above the underground metro corridor on Shivaji Road was demolished by the property owner. During the process, efforts were made to revive an old borewell on the premises. However, digging beyond a depth of more than 60 feet led to unexpected damage to the metro tunnel below. A hole measuring nearly six inches developed in the tunnel structure, raising safety concerns. The issue surfaced when water began seeping through the concrete lining of the metro tunnel, prompting immediate attention from authorities.

Following the incident, the police have registered a case against the original house owner, Dhananjay Mote, and contractor Jagtap. The complaint was filed by Pune Metro General Manager Shantanu Goratra at the Khadak Police Station. The incident reportedly occurred around 12:45 pm on March 14, directly opposite the police station in Shukrawar Peth. According to officials, the underground metro line passes beneath Mote’s property, and residents in the affected zone had been clearly instructed not to carry out any excavation or borewell activity without prior permission from metro authorities.

Despite these explicit instructions, the old borewell was reportedly reactivated with the consent of the property owner. Officials stated that the borewell was drilled to a depth of around 60 feet, which is believed to have directly impacted the metro tunnel’s structural integrity. The excessive digging caused a crack in the cement ring lining of the tunnel, leading to water leakage. Authorities have expressed concern over the negligence involved in the matter, emphasizing that such unauthorized activities pose a serious threat to critical infrastructure and public safety. Further investigation into the incident is currently underway.