Pune Infrastructure Citizens Call for Immediate Budget Allocation
As the Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, prepares to present the Budget for FY 2025-26, the citizens of Pune are vocal in their demands for increased funding aimed at addressing the city’s growing infrastructure needs. With rapid urbanisation and a rising population, the city’s civic issues are becoming increasingly apparent, particularly in sectors like transportation, waste management, and water supply. Punekars are united in their call for immediate action, stressing that the upcoming budget must address these challenges head-on to ensure the city’s long-term growth and sustainability.
Kunal Tilak, a prominent BJP spokesperson and Maharashtra vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), expressed concerns about the city’s deteriorating roads and inadequate waste management systems. “Pune is grappling with pothole-ridden roads, which pose a serious threat to commuters’ safety,” he said, adding that waste management remains an ongoing issue, impacting public health. Tilak further advocated for the provision of a reliable 24/7 water supply to every household, highlighting the critical role water security plays in the city’s future. He also emphasised the importance of traffic management systems and the development of multilevel parking solutions, which he believes will alleviate congestion, a long-standing issue in Pune. Additionally, he proposed the classification of the area between Shaniwar Wada and Mandai as a ‘Heritage City’, calling for dedicated funds for restoration projects to preserve the city’s cultural heritage.
Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party leader Yugendra Pawar raised a broader issue related to taxation. He stressed that the youth of the country are increasingly concerned about the high taxes on essential goods under the GST regime and suggested that a reduction in income tax for working professionals could stimulate both the economy and consumer spending. Congress leader Mohan Joshi highlighted another critical area—public transport. He lamented the state of the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), which he described as “pathetic”, calling for at least 1,000 additional buses to reduce dependence on private vehicles. Joshi’s plea underscores the need for sustainable public transport solutions, which could play a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion and pollution in the city.
From a sustainability perspective, Pune’s rapid urbanisation presents both opportunities and challenges. The call for better infrastructure must also focus on sustainable development practices. Activists like Vivek Velankar and experts such as Renu Naidu have raised pertinent points on the need for eco-friendly infrastructure, including pedestrian-friendly spaces, expansion of the Pune Metro, and the development of the Pune-Nashik Railway and Purandar Airport. These projects not only promise to enhance connectivity but also contribute to sustainable urban growth by reducing traffic emissions and improving accessibility. Furthermore, there is a growing consensus that environmental concerns, such as water management and preserving natural resources, must be central to urban planning in Pune.
In addition to transportation and infrastructure development, the issue of education was also raised by residents like Meera Patil, who highlighted the lack of basic facilities in many schools. Her plea underscores the need for funding to improve primary education, especially in underserved areas, ensuring that children have access to clean drinking water, proper classrooms, and well-trained teachers. These concerns reflect a broader call for a holistic approach to development, one that integrates infrastructure improvements with social welfare initiatives to ensure that Pune’s growth benefits all its citizens, not just the affluent.
