Pune: After Citizen Outcry, Raheja Reserve–Lavanya Road In NIBM Annexe Finally Opens
Pune: After Citizen Outcry, Raheja Reserve–Lavanya Road In NIBM Annexe Finally Opens
Renuka Suryavanshi
Pune, July 13, 2025: After decades of bureaucratic apathy and alleged corruption, the much-awaited Lavanya Hotel to Raheja Reserve link road in NIBM Annexe, Mohamadwadi has finally been thrown open to the public. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was forced to act following relentless citizen activism and intervention from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The road, a crucial connection between Raheja Premiere and Kadnagar Chowk, had been blocked for years due to illegal encroachments and delays in land acquisition. Despite crores being spent on compensation, PMC officials were accused of deliberately stalling the project, enabling land mafias to flourish unchecked.
Citizen Activism Exposes PMC Negligence
Prominent civil rights activist Jaymala Dhankikar spearheaded the campaign to open the road, submitting multiple petitions to the PMO and CMO. Her complaint, dated January 1, 2025, highlighted PMC’s gross negligence and the road department’s alleged collusion with private landlords to block a designated DP (Development Plan) road.
“The PMC’s lethargy and corruption had emboldened land mafias. It was only after we exposed them to higher authorities that PMC was forced to follow the law,” Dhankikar said.
Pune Pulse Had Also Raised The Issue In Its Past Reports. The publication had carried out several news reports highlighting the plight of the residents.
In her earlier letter to the PMO (October 10, 2024), Dhankikar accused PMC officials of enabling unlawful sheds on public land, causing immense hardship for residents and students who rely on the route for daily commuting.
Key Demands By Citizens That Shook PMC
- Immediate Road Construction: Complete removal of encroachments and fast-track construction of the road.
- FIRs Against PMC Officials: Legal action against those responsible for delays and negligence.
- Crackdown on Land Mafia: Punitive action against those illegally occupying DP roads.
The sustained pressure finally broke the PMC’s inertia. Encroachments were cleared, and the 700-meter-long, 24-meter-wide road was opened, cutting commuting distance by 3 km and improving connectivity between NIBM Annexe, Mohamadwadi, and Undri.
A Wake-Up Call For PMC
“This is a victory for citizen power. But it should never have come to this. The PMC was exposed and had no choice but to act once the PMO and CMO intervened,” said Ashok Mehendale, a resident of NIBM Annexe.
The PMC’s road department has since claimed it is “committed to completing pending infrastructure projects” and assured “strict action” against any officials found guilty of corruption.
“This road is not just a convenience—it’s a reminder that when citizens unite and demand accountability, even the most lethargic administration is forced to move,” Dhankikar said.
PMC’s Say
Deputy engineer Avinash Kamthe confirmed the road’s specifications, adding that it will significantly boost connectivity for thousands of residents in Pune’s rapidly growing suburbs. He further said, ” The newly opened 700-meter-long and 24-meter-wide stretch has reduced travel distance by 3 km, significantly enhancing connectivity between NIBM Annexe, Mohammadwadi, and Undri.”
Will PMC Learn Or Repeat Its Mistakes?
As celebrations erupt in NIBM Annexe, residents are clear: they won’t allow PMC to slip back into its old habits. The Lavanya–Raheja road saga has set a precedent for citizen-led action against corruption and delays in urban infrastructure projects.
