PUNE: Pune mayor Manjusha Nagpure on Thursday directed the civic administration to repair potholes across the city within eight days, while ordering an audit of road works carried out so far and action against contractors responsible for poor-quality work.Pune, India - June 28, 2023: The roads which were tarred a week before, developed potholes in front of Anna Bhau Sathe auditorium at Padmavati in Pune, India, on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. (Photo by Pratham Gokhale/Hindustan Times) (Pratham Gokhale/HT Photo)Nagpure informed about the directions issued during a press conference held on Thursday after reviewing the condition of roads and footpaths across the city. She said that the number of potholes this year is less compared to the previous year. However, she stressed that whatever the number of potholes, it is more important to consider the inconvenience caused and safety hazard posed by them.“The number of potholes does not matter. Whether there are 100 potholes or one, citizens have to suffer because of them. All potholes must be repaired within a maximum of eight days,” Nagpure said.She also directed the municipal commissioner to carry out an audit of road works undertaken so far. The administration has been asked to submit details of the roads that were constructed or repaired, the work that was completed, and the contractors that were involved.Nagpure said completing a road project on paper is not enough and that its quality must also be checked. Contractors found responsible for substandard work should face action, she said.“Road works must not be considered complete merely because the work has been shown as finished. The quality of the work must be checked and responsibility should be fixed wherever shortcomings are found,” she said.Nagpure had earlier claimed that the number of potholes in the city is lower than last year. However, complaints from residents about damaged roads and footpaths continue.The latest directions come amid the monsoon when potholes and damaged road surfaces have become a recurring concern for motorists and pedestrians. The civic administration will now have eight days to demonstrate progress on repairs, while the proposed road works’ audit is expected to examine whether or not contractors have carried out the work as per the prescribed standards.