Pune: Newly appointed Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Saurabh Rao said his priority will be on increasing the happiness index of the city by fulfilling small daily needs of citizen such as pothole free roads, cleanliness, proper drainage and street lighting, speed breakers and dividers, etc, and minimise response time of citizen complaints.  

Rao took charge from Additional Municipal Commissioner Sheetal Ugale-Teli on Tuesday. He met Mayor Mukta Tilak, Leader of House Shrinath Bhimale and Standing Committee Chairman Yogesh Mulik.  He also conducted a meeting with all department heads and took a review of different development works.

Rao said, “Pune is the most livable city in the country. So, we have to maintain the status and make it a more friendly city. Without minimising response time, we cannot fulfil the needs of citizens. Their demands are very basic ones. Citizens are our main focus and there is scope of reform in the existing system.”

He further said, “I will set a timeline for the Bhama-Askhed project, Chandni Chowk project and 24x7 water supply projects. During my tenure as District Collector, I handled many corporation issues such as Bhama-Askhed and garbage. This will help me solve these issues as PMC chief in coming days.”

On the excessive water usage, Rao said, “We have to do scientific planning of water supply. I have come to know we are using excessive water. But, it doesn’t mean citizens are consuming this. It is happening due to water leakages. It is my duty as well as my challenge to make scientific planning of water supply. Water supply, decongestion of traffic and river development are also my priorities.”