Pune: Discontent Erupts In Dhayari Over PMC’s Refusal To Develop DP Roads In Newly Merged Areas
Pune: Discontent Erupts In Dhayari Over PMC's Refusal To Develop DP Roads In Newly Merged Areas
A wave of anger has spread among protesters after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) declared that it will not undertake development of DP (Development Plan) roads in the newly merged areas of Dhayari. The PMC’s construction department clarified that DP roads would only be built in the old limits of Dhayari on Sinhagad Road, not in the newly added zones.
This stance by the PMC has sparked intense criticism, particularly from the Aam Aadmi Party’s Pune city president, Dhananjay Benkar, who is leading the protest. He accused the municipal authorities of neglecting the infrastructural needs of the newly added areas, despite there being a proposed Development Plan approved by PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority), though yet to be sanctioned by the PMC.
According to Benkar, four DP roads in Dhayari have already been approved:
- 1. A 30-meter-wide DP road from Savitri Mangal Karyalaya to Lokmat Office
- 2. RP Road from Kaka Chavan Bungalow to Shri Control Chowk
- 3. Proposed DP road from High Bliss Society to Laxmi Lodge Nanhe Road
- 4. A 60-feet-wide RP road passing through survey numbers 6, 7, and 8 of Dhayari village and Benkar Mala, adjacent to the local stream
Of these, the 30-meter road between Savitri Mangal Karyalaya and Lokmat Office has been left incomplete for many years.
The PMC’s urban planning department is still working on the draft development plan for the newly merged areas, which is yet to receive official approval. As a result, the construction department claims it cannot initiate road development in these zones.
However, the PMC’s road department has shown some initiative by progressing work on all four DP roads, regardless of the area limits. Still, the construction department’s stance has triggered widespread dissatisfaction.
Aam Aadmi Party leaders including Dhananjay Benkar, Nilesh Damiste, Sunny Raikar, Sandeep Vitthal Pokale, Santosh Chaudhary, and Amar Khedekar were present during the protest.
