As the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections approach, residents from several merged areas are raising their voices for basic civic dignity. The communities of Pisoli, Undri, Mohammadwadi, and NIBM Road have united to demand fundamental amenities, highlighting years of neglect despite their inclusion within the city limits.
A Charter of Basic Demands
The Mohammadwadi-Undri Residents Welfare Development Foundation has formally presented a citizens' charter outlining their urgent needs. The primary demand is for a continuous supply of PMC water to end their crippling dependency on private tankers. Additionally, they seek immediate relief from daily traffic nightmares caused by dilapidated roads and rampant encroachments. A complete overhaul of the sewage network has also been listed as a top priority.
Residents expressed frustration that the lack of basic facilities, especially water, persists even years after their localities were merged with the PMC. This ongoing struggle forms the core of their pre-election agitation.
Voices from the Ground: Frustration and Financial Drain
Sunil Aiyer, a senior office-bearer of the foundation and resident of Nyati Chesterfield in Undri, pointed out the electoral significance of their plea. "There are around 1,00,000 eligible voters in areas like Undri, Mohammadwadi, NIBM Road and NIBM Annexe Road," he stated. These areas fall under ward number 41 and will elect four corporators. "Our demands include basic civic facilities," Aiyer emphasized.
The financial burden of this neglect was starkly highlighted by Sunil Koloti, a resident of Nyati Windchimes. "I bought my property in 2012. Till date, we are dependent on tanker water," he revealed. Despite paying all municipal taxes, his society spends a staggering Rs 50 lakh annually to purchase water. Koloti lamented the apathy from their Purandar constituency MLA and noted that Baramati MP Supriya Sule, who made promises during the Lok Sabha polls, has not visited since her victory.
Broader Issues: Drainage, Safety, and Gridlocked Traffic
Jaymala Dhankikar, a social worker residing in Ganga Kingston on NIBM Annexe Road, brought up other critical issues. She cited drainage problems, underutilised amenity spaces, and poor law and order as major concerns. "Drainage is a massive problem... and will scale up to a crisis as the population increases," Dhankikar warned. She also accused the police of ignoring repeated requests to increase patrolling in their area.
The story of incomplete projects adds to the resentment. Vishal Pakhekar, a resident of Raheja Vistas, mentioned three overhead tanks constructed by the PMC in 2018 as part of a 24x7 water supply plan. "It is seven years and the three tanks remain unused," he said, questioning the inaction of the PMC, the MLA, and former corporators.
Traffic congestion remains a daily ordeal. A resident of Imperial Towers described how NIBM Annexe, NIBM Road, and Salunke Vihar Road areas are frequently gridlocked. Encroachments by vendors leave little space for pedestrians and vehicles, compounded by the absence of proper pavements on many stretches.
As election season heats up, the unified message from these Pune suburbs is clear: they pay their taxes and now demand the civic amenities that are their right. Their vote may well depend on which candidates take these fundamental issues seriously.
