Wakad Road Work Begins Residents' Advocacy Drives Progress
After years of persistent delays and growing community frustration, residents of Wakad in Pimpri-Chinchwad are finally witnessing substantive progress on the long-anticipated development of the Wakad-Datta Mandir Road.
This crucial infrastructure project, initially sanctioned in March 2022 for widening to a 45-metre thoroughfare as per the Development Plan (DP), has been plagued by inconsistent implementation, with certain stretches controversially restricted to just 30 metres. This breakthrough underscores the pivotal role of active citizen engagement in driving urban development and ensuring adherence to planned, sustainable, and equitable infrastructure for the benefit of all.
The road’s inconsistent execution has been a major point of contention among local residents, who have tirelessly advocated for full compliance with the approved Development Plan. Their persistent efforts included a staggering 16 meetings with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) since 2022, alongside numerous appeals to civic authorities. The mounting dissatisfaction culminated in 27 housing societies formally submitting written complaints, unequivocally demanding strict adherence to the sanctioned DP. The recent breakthrough was catalysed by a crucial meeting held on Saturday between PCMC officials and representatives of these affected societies, operating under the umbrella of the Wakad-Pimpri Chinchwad Residents Development and Welfare Association.
Sachin Londhe, founder of the resident association, detailed the systematic advocacy efforts, including a formal letter submitted to local MLA Shankar Jagtap on March 8. This letter meticulously outlined key demands, which crucially included the planting of indigenous trees in designated green belt areas, the provision of additional parking lanes, and comprehensive improvements to road safety infrastructure. The positive reception from the MLA, who promptly forwarded these recommendations to the PCMC, signifies a collaborative spirit that is essential for responsive urban governance and the creation of greener, safer cities.
At the recent collaborative meeting, PCMC consultants presented a detailed plan for the road’s development, actively soliciting and welcoming feedback from the community. Tejaswini Sawai, an active resident involved in the discussions, highlighted the significant chaos caused by the road’s earlier haphazard execution and stressed the invaluable importance of community involvement in such projects. She elaborated on the constructive suggestions put forth by residents, encompassing critical aspects like the preference for indigenous tree species, modifications to pedestrian paths and pergolas to enhance walkability, innovative rainwater paving solutions for improved water management, effective parking regulations to reduce congestion, and better lighting for enhanced safety and security.
Rohit Sawant further attested to the positive nature of the dialogue, noting that the PCMC engineering team, including the City Engineer and Assistant City Engineer, engaged in a highly constructive and participatory discussion. They openly considered citizen input and provided transparent updates on proposed design modifications, demonstrating a refreshing openness to public feedback. Residents, for their part, have expressed unwavering readiness to continue their collaboration, emphasising a fundamental principle: these developments are funded directly through their taxes and must therefore be executed with utmost transparency and incorporate valuable community insights. This ongoing dialogue between civic bodies and engaged citizens is fundamental to building sustainable, accessible, and inclusive urban spaces that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of their inhabitants. The progress on Wakad-Datta Mandir Road serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when citizens actively participate in shaping their urban environment.
