In a pivotal decision, the standing committee of the Pune Zilla Parishad has opted to cancel a staggering 135 projects, originally sanctioned but left dormant since the fiscal year 2018-19. This bold move, amounting to a budgeted sum of Rs 763.94 lakh, has ignited criticism for its ramifications on citizen access to essential infrastructure.
As revealed by the Maharashtra Accountant General’s annual audit report for 2023, obtained through the Right to Information Act, these projects spanned various sectors and were proposed by Zilla Parishad members between 2015-16 and 2018-19. Ranging from road construction and bridge development to the establishment of community halls, religious site enhancements, and health-related endeavours, the scope of these abandoned initiatives is vast. The audit report underscores the dire consequences of this decision, underscoring the detrimental impact on citizens’ access to basic amenities. It sheds light on systemic flaws within the Zilla Parishad’s planning and execution mechanisms. Additionally, the report flags 117 ongoing projects, including rural road constructions, tribal area enhancements, and bridge refurbishments, which commenced between 2018 and 2022 but remain mired in incompleteness. Despite citing reasons such as land unavailability and monsoon-related delays for project halts, the Zilla Parishad’s actions have left rural areas grappling with a dearth of vital infrastructure. Responsible for overseeing rural Pune, excluding territories under the Pune Municipal Corporation, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, and three Cantonment boards, the Zilla Parishad’s decisions have far-reaching consequences.
Former Zilla Parishad members emphasise the urgent need for proactive measures from both administrative bodies and elected representatives to avert such scenarios. They highlight common hurdles like land disputes or acquisition challenges that often impede project progress, underscoring the criticality of robust oversight and conflict resolution mechanisms. With the postponement of Pune Zilla Parishad elections amidst ongoing legal battles, citizens find themselves confronted with incomplete infrastructure projects, heightening apprehensions regarding their access to essential services.
