Pune: The Wagholi residents organised a solidarity march from Wagheshwar temple to Wagholi Grampanchyat on Saturday evening to bring to the notice of the authorities the civic problems they are facing. This was the first public demonstration by the thousands of people who felt cheated by the builders.
The residents were angry with government authorities, as they have completely failed to address their issues despite repeatedly following up with them. Meanwhile, the Grampanchyat has assured them that they will come up with workable solutions in the next fifteen days.
The Wagholi Housing Societies Association (WHSA) organised this solidarity march, which was attended by over 200 residents of the area. A few days ago, the residents launched an online petition addressing Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis raising the issues of one of the fastest growing suburbs of Pune. The area is currently not part of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and is governed by the Wagholi Grampanchayat. Since the area is within the jurisdiction of the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA), the residents have demanded that the authorities should stop giving permission for new constructions till the area gets adequate civic amenities.
Satish Dube, a resident of Aura County, said, “The area lacks basic facilities including proper roads, water supply, proper garbage collection, disposal and drainage system. Besides, the area is facing load-shedding on a daily basis.”
Another resident of the area, Santosh Bijor, said, “The number of crimes is growing in the absence of police patrolling. The traffic scenario is worst, as there are no traffic signals, street lights or speed breakers on the roads.”
On Saturday evening, residents first gathered outside Wagheshwar temple. Residents later discussed their demands with officials of Wagholi Grampanchyat. Deputy Sarpanch Sameer Dabale accepted the memorandum from the citizens. He said that Grampanchayat will call a meeting of all members in next 15 days.
Demands raised by the residents of Wagholi
† Build the proposed 7-km flyover from Khandvenagar to BJS College covering the entire Wagholi stretch segregating local traffic from State highway number 27 traffic
† Either create a new municipal body for Wagholi or merge it into PMC
† Wagholi GP should accept registration of societies unconditionally in the interim. Basic amenities like water, garbage collection, roads, street lights should be provided to all societies
† PMRDA should not permit further constructions in the area till existing societies are provided basic amenities
† A dedicated MSEB sub-station for Wagholi area reducing regular power interruptions in the feeder, Lonikand sub-station and long lines
† Encroachment removal from both sides of Ahmednagar road from Kharadi leading to Wagholi. Make traffic signals working on all crossings and remove illegal punctures in the median
† Provide regular police patrolling in the area during day and night and a local police station for Wagholi
† A public-private partnership model of development of the area as per need and requirements and not on the basis of what earns the authorities more
