Five Years On, Merged Villages In Pune Head To Polls With Unresolved Civic Issues And Mounting Frustrations
As assembly polls approach in the Khadakwasla, Hadapsar, Shirur, and Purandar constituencies, candidates are contending with high voter dissatisfaction over lagging infrastructure and broken promises in merged villages. These villages were absorbed into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) between 2017 and 2021 have seen no progress in essential services such as water supply, garbage collection, and road maintenance, leading residents to feel neglected and undervalued as taxpayers.
Since 2017, when the PMC merged with 23 surrounding villages, residents argue that development has been minimal, and the corporation appears unprepared for the increased demands. Due to delayed civic elections, locals had expected MLAs to address their needs, but many basic services remained inadequate. This discontent is evident in villages within the PMC limits, with representatives including Ashok Pawar (NCP) in Shirur’s Wagholi, Chetan Tupe (NCP-Ajit Pawar faction) in Hadapsar, Sanjay Jagtap (Congress) in Purandar, and Bhimrao Tapkir (BJP) in Khadakwasla.
Amid increasing frustrations, residents have frequently petitioned the PMC, calling attention to the lack of basic services. Some residents have even declined to sign property tax consent forms, insisting on better amenities before paying taxes. The PMC faces an unpaid property tax backlog of ₹1,245 crore in merged areas. Though a campaign was initiated to address property tax defaults, it was paused after local leaders raised concerns about its economic impact ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Out of the total taxable properties, 9.16 lakh are current, while 5.05 lakh are in arrears, with collection figures of ₹990 crore online and ₹610 crore offline.
In response to residents’ grievances, the state government halted property tax collections in merged villages due to the model code of conduct (MCC). Residents widely appreciated this move, arguing that PMC property taxes are roughly double those in local gram panchayats without the corresponding services.
The PMC added 34 villages over two phases, merging 11 in 2017 and another 23 in 2021. However, the absence of local body elections in these areas has meant that these villages lack political representation. The state government has since appointed a committee, led by the divisional commissioner, to address the challenges facing residents of the newly incorporated villages.
Some residents, such as those in Wagholi, have taken their grievances to court, arguing that property tax collections should be paused until the PMC provides reliable infrastructure. But even after filing a PIL things have not moved an inch in these merged villages. “Despite filing a PIL, the situation hasn’t improved. The PMC and local representatives seem disengaged from solving essential issues like water supply and waste collection.
Many residents express disillusionment with the merger’s outcomes. Five years post-merger, the residents still face issues with water, roads, and waste management. This will resonate during the elections.
The Haveli Taluka Nagari Kriti Samiti filed a PIL challenging the merger of 34 villages. The state’s decision to halt property tax collections in these villages has been well received, as the tax rates are disproportionately high for the services provided.