A shocking incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of the metro project in Pune. A borewell was reportedly drilled directly above an underground metro tunnel, resulting in visible damage to the structure. Following the incident, a case has been registered at the Khadak Police Station. The matter has highlighted significant negligence during the execution of the underground metro work in the city. Authorities are now investigating how such a risky activity was carried out despite the presence of critical infrastructure beneath the surface, sparking questions over adherence to safety norms and monitoring mechanisms.
The incident occurred on March 14 in the Friday Peth area, where the underground metro corridor runs between Shivajinagar and Swargate. Due to the borewell drilling directly above the tunnel, a hole of nearly six inches developed in the tunnel’s surface. The damage has also led to water leakage at the affected spot, raising further safety concerns. Officials confirmed that the drilling activity caused structural harm to the tunnel, which could have had more severe consequences if left unnoticed. The situation has intensified scrutiny over construction practices in densely populated urban zones.
A complaint in this regard was filed by Shantanu Goratara, Joint General Manager of Pune Metro. Based on the complaint, police have registered a case against the original homeowner Dhananjay Mote and a contractor identified as Jagtap. According to officials, the accused were fully aware that an underground metro tunnel passed beneath the property. Despite this knowledge, they allegedly carried out the borewell drilling recklessly and without necessary precautions. Their actions are being viewed as both deliberate and negligent, prompting legal action under relevant sections.
The complaint further states that this act not only damaged the metro tunnel but also posed a serious threat to public safety. Any structural compromise in such infrastructure could endanger the lives of commuters and nearby residents. The estimated financial loss to metro property has been pegged at around Rs 2 lakh. Since the metro project is funded jointly by the central and state governments, the damage has also been treated as harm to public property. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future.