Pune: Residents Of Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Kalyani Nagar Join PMC’s New Initiative To Resolve Civic Issues
Pune: Residents Of Viman Nagar, Kharadi, Kalyani Nagar Join PMC’s New Initiative To Resolve Civic Issues
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pune, July 19, 2025: In a bid to build a cleaner, greener, and encroachment-free city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched its zone-wise Public Partnership Initiative. The programme was officially inaugurated on July 16, 2025, at Annabhau Sathe Sabhagruha by Zone 1 Deputy Commissioner Madhav Jagtap.
Conceptualised by PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, the initiative aims to bring together citizens, NGOs, and civic officials to identify and resolve local issues collaboratively. It marks a shift towards grassroots engagement, ensuring that residents play an active role in improving civic conditions.
Zone 1, covering Nagar Road-Wadgaonsheri, Dhole Patil, and Yerwada-Kalas-Dhanori ward offices, is the first to implement the model. The inaugural citizen-partner meeting was held at the Nagar Road Wadgaonsheri Ward Office, drawing enthusiastic participation from locals and PMC staff.
As part of the initiative:
- 28 roads/streets have been identified for surveys in the first month.
- Citizens and PMC officials will jointly list and address civic problems.
- Weekly review meetings (every Monday) will monitor pending issues.
- Site visits (every Tuesday and Friday) will track progress on the ground.
“This is a fresh approach to tackling long-standing civic challenges,” said Qaneez Sukhrani, convenor of the Association of Nagar Road Citizens Forum and Viman Nagar Citizens Forum. “Residents have often criticised PMC’s performance, but this effort feels promising. Both citizens and PMC staff seem committed to making a difference.”
Prabha Karape, a citizens activist from Kharadi stated that the citizens initiative must be free from any political interference. There should be effective coordination between the senior and ground level staff. Also, the project initiated must be completed within the specified time period.
Krupali Bhatt, a resident of Viman Nagar, voiced serious concerns about the deteriorating infrastructure in the area. “The condition of the roads and footpaths is very pathetic. There are several pressing issues that need to be addressed by the PMC on priority,” she said.
She pointed out that footpaths are either broken at multiple spots or encroached upon, leading to inconvenience for pedestrians. “Illegal parking on both sides of the road, traffic congestion, and the mushrooming of food stalls have worsened the situation. Overhead cables dangerously hang across the roads, posing a safety risk. We hope the PMC officers remain committed to resolving these issues and bringing much-needed relief to residents,” Bhatt added.
An initial list of 30 civic concerns, including waste management, road repairs, and public amenities, has been drawn up for immediate action under this pilot project. If successful, PMC plans to replicate the model across other zones in Pune.
