Loud Chandni Chowk blasts upset Pune residents

PUNE: The high-intensity blasting activities for the Chandni Chowk flyover works have become a major inconvenience for residents.
People who have their homes near the flyover site said the blasts are often carried out without any prior intimation. There are also concerns about damage to their properties.
On Saturday, a delegation of residents met the officials of the agency appointed by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to execute the project.
Dilip Wede Patil, a former corporator who was among those present at the meeting, said a detailed discussion was held with the officials, and residents' concerns were put forth. The officials promised to reduce the intensity of the blasts to minimise inconvenience to the residents and prevent damage to their properties.
Prasad Shirgaonkar, a resident of a nearby locality, said: "No prior warning is given about the blasting activities. Since the blasts take place at night, everyone gets agitated. The blasts often lead to power cuts. We strongly feel the authorities should at least warn the local residents."
Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, during his visit to the city last month, had announced that the Chandni Chowk flyover would be inaugurated by May 1.
Residents feel the work must have been expedited to meet this tight deadline.
Satish Shinde, a resident of Bavdhan, said the intensity of the blasts has gone up in the past few days.
"This must be because the National Highway Authority of India needs to pick up the pace of its work. We, however, feel the residents should not have to face additional problems just so that the work can be completed soon."
An official of the NHAI assured that measures would be taken during the blasting activities.
"A significant part of the blasting work has already been completed. However, we will ask the agencies involved in the work to take adequate steps to keep the blast intensity low and also work out safety measures at the site," the official said.
Prashant Kanojiya, a local activist, said besides odd-hour blasts, which have been harassing the citizens, the authorities should look into other infrastructural concerns.
"We want the authorities to work out adequate measures to manage the rainwater run-off problems. Provisions should be put in place along with the ongoing road works. We also want the authorities to make provisions for residents to cross the junction safely. Currently, we do not see any such provision," Kanojiya said.
Nandini Dev, another resident, said it is difficult for people to live with such loud late-night blasts in their vicinity. "All we ask for is that the citizens are not further inconvenienced," she said.