Pune: Kharadi Residents Demand PMC Action Over Neglect Of Public Amenities, Slam Civic Body For Inaction

Pune, July 21, 2025: Residents of Kharadi have raised a strong protest against the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), accusing it of gross negligence in developing public amenities as outlined in the Development Plan (DP). The Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association (KHSWA), along with several citizens’ groups, submitted a detailed representation to Vasundhara Barve, Deputy Commissioner (Estate and Management), demanding immediate action.

The residents expressed deep concern over the absence of civic infrastructure such as gardens, jogging parks, children’s play areas, playgrounds, and multipurpose community halls in the rapidly urbanising Kharadi area. Despite being clearly demarcated in the DP, these facilities remain undeveloped, inaccessible, or encroached upon, causing severe inconvenience to children, senior citizens, and working families.

Key Issues Highlighted by KHSWA:

Recreational Needs Ignored: Lack of safe, accessible green spaces is adversely affecting public health and community well-being.

Community Disconnect: The absence of community halls and multipurpose facilities deprives residents of spaces for cultural events, civic meetings, and indoor activities.

Encroachment and Wasted Land: Plots reserved for public use lie vacant, misused for parking and storage, or encroached upon, with no clear signage of their DP status.

Unbalanced Urban Growth: While commercial and real estate developments boom in Kharadi, basic civic infrastructure lags behind.

PMC Inaction: Despite repeated appeals, there has been no communication or visible progress from PMC.

A specific case raised was the Exhibition Ground on Fountain Road. Originally handed over to PMC by a builder in exchange for TDR, the plot was intended as a civic open space but has allegedly been reclaimed for private construction, drawing outrage from KHSWA and the Surendra Pathare Foundation.

Residents are also concerned about reports of PMC considering leasing amenity spaces to private developers for commercial use, calling it a betrayal of public trust.

Key Demands from Residents:

• Immediate PMC-led survey and public display of all DP-reserved amenity plots.
• Clear timelines for developing parks, playgrounds, and community halls.
• Installation of signboards on all reserved plots stating their DP designation and intended use.
• Active inclusion of citizens in the planning and monitoring process.

“While Kharadi’s real estate flourishes, the civic amenities remain non-existent. The PMC must act immediately and transparently,” said Deepak Patil, Chairman and Manoj Dudhankar, Secretary of KHSWA.

The representation concludes with a strong appeal for equitable access to basic infrastructure and warns of intensified protests if the demands are ignored.