Pimpri-Chinchwad’s Punawale, Ravet, and Tathawade neighbourhoods are facing mounting challenges as traffic congestion, inadequate water supply, substandard roads, and pollution increasingly disrupt daily life. Residents report that air quality has deteriorated, road safety risks have risen, and essential services struggle to keep pace with the growing population, raising urgent questions about long-term urban planning and sustainability.
Population growth has surged in areas including Gaikwad Wasti, Malwadi, Vijay Nagar, Pandhare Wasti, and Kate Wasti since these villages were integrated into the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in 1997. With proximity to IT hubs in Wakad and Hinjawadi and access to the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway, the combined population now exceeds 300,000, intensifying demand on existing infrastructure. While the Smart City initiative has initiated development projects, delays and incomplete works have left citizens frustrated, with once green and open areas now feeling congested and polluted. Infrastructure gaps remain a significant concern. Key underpasses connecting Punawale and Tathawade to internal neighbourhoods are narrow, lack median dividers, and suffer from poor maintenance, slowing traffic and increasing accident risks. Uneven service roads, limited public parking, and heavy vehicle movement exacerbate congestion. Residents have consistently requested widening and elevation improvements for underpasses, but progress remains slow, as authorities await larger road-widening projects led by the PCMC and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Environmental pressures compound daily challenges. Punawale’s 60-acre forested area is under threat from commercial development plans, despite previous successful citizen opposition to a garbage depot. Community groups are now advocating for an Oxygen Park to preserve green space and improve air quality. High emissions from Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) plants and unregulated heavy vehicles contribute to chronic air pollution, while the Pawana River shows visible signs of water contamination, including foam accumulation. Traffic safety is another pressing issue. Heavy vehicles operating during peak hours, often in violation of regulations, increase accident risks and obstruct traffic flow. Residents demand stricter enforcement, including vehicle inspections, speed monitoring, restricted entry during sensitive hours, and deployment of traffic personnel across busy residential routes. They also call for accountability measures for violations, including temporary plant shutdowns or licence revocations for repeat offenders.
Local residents emphasise that consistent infrastructure investment, improved traffic management, and environmental safeguards are critical. “Until underpass widening and road improvements are implemented, congestion will worsen, and daily commutes will remain hazardous,” said a resident. Another noted, “Inconsistent water supply and pollution undermine quality of life, despite Smart City initiatives nearby.” As PCMC elections approach, citizens intend to prioritise these issues in public discourse, advocating for candidates who commit to concrete, actionable solutions. Urban planners emphasise that addressing these challenges with sustainable, equitable policies is essential for building a resilient, zero-carbon future in Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Pimpri Chinchwad Areas Battle Daily Traffic Pollution And Water Crisis Fueling Public Anxiety
