Pune News: Frustrated Pune citizens stage massive protest against PMC
By: Pune Pulse
August 9, 2023
Pune: Frustrated by the everyday issues plaguing the city, various Punekars held a massive protest ‘Chalo PMC’ outside the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) building to demand basic facilities like smooth roads, repairing potholes, daily water supply, proper drainage system, garbage disposal and stopping Mula Mutha riverfront project. Around 500 Punekars participated in the protest.
Speaking to Pune Pulse, Angad Patwardhan, a resident of Aundh, Pune said, “Basically, one of the prime points of the protest is the Mula Mutha riverfront project by PMC, it’s harmful implications to the environment & Pune citizens, etc. Also, various other infrastructural & civic issues are being highlighted here as it is not only about the river. The PMC yearly budget is Rs 10,000 crore. This comes from the taxes paid by Pune citizens but we have a plethora of problems like potholes, improper roads etc. Instead of solving these issues, the civic body is spending money to destroy the environment through the riverfront development project and demolishing Vetaal Tekdi for the proposed road of Balbharati-Paud Phata.”
Maithili Manakawad, a resident of Wanowrie, Pune said, “We, the citizens of Pune, are here to protest total apathy, inefficiency & irresponsibility of the PMC. Basic requirements of citizens such as proper roads, water supply, garbage issues etc are not given. It appears that PMC is the most inefficient municipal body in the entire country. Hence, citizens have gathered here on Kranti Day ( August 9) to protest.”
Adv S Mashalkar, a resident of Balewadi, Pune said, “All dams supplying water to Pune are filled now. Still, several Balewadi residents have to resort to buying water tankers. The roads of Balewadi are incomplete & are broken at various places as the acquiring of land for increasing roads is still not done. Footpaths are either broken or are not there at all. Hence, people find it very difficult to walk. Potholes are there as well. Balewadi is a part of Smart City. However, looking at the current conditions in Balewadi, it has become a nightmare for every Balewadi resident.”
Ameet Singh, Core Member of Pune River Revival said, “Several trees will be cut alongside Mula Mutha river in the name of riverfront project & beautification of Mula Mutha which is harming the environment. Instead of all this, please use your funds & budget to solve real needs like garbage cleaning, providing clean water, cleaning the rivers, public transportation issues and filling potholes permanently must be done. These are very basic requirements of Punekars. Instead of focusing on the real issues, Rs 5000 crore will be spent on beautification & other such projects which is not at all acceptable.”
