Pune: Widening of 335 narrow roads in Pune city is talking point of the town from past few months. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has planned to widen roads of six metres to nine metres.
PMC, ruled by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), quoting a state government rule is trying hard for widening but is facing opposition from people fearing it would affect their residential properties.
Puneties had been requested to submit their suggestions in writing to the City Engineer department of PMC. Multiple objections, suggestions have been received by the civic body for which the hearing would be held in the coming days. Meanwhile, many residents of the city have opposed the move.
Rahul Alamkhane of Gawli Aali in Budhwar Peth says that for the sake of developers and builders, small landowners in the city will suffer. Therefore, roads of six metres should not be widened.
The Opposition parties led by NCP, Shiv Sena and Congress have been opposing the plan and have already advanced the state government to interfere and stop the PMC from widening narrow roads in the city.
“Before making a final decision on road widening, it is important to understand the role of residents. We need to talk to every other person in the area where road widening is proposed. The administration should take care that there will be no widening unless residents are taken into confidence,” says another Punekar, Arvind Kanhere.
DB Chitale who stays near Apte Road says, “The widening will damage parking and boundary walls between residential and commercial properties. Some roadside parking arrangements will be phased out. Thus, roads should not be widened.”
