Residents of Wagholi, a rapidly expanding suburb of Pune, have today voiced profound frustration over the abysmal condition of a critical access road, directly challenging the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on issues of civic governance and fiscal transparency. The stretch, connecting key residential hubs like AWHO Vijay Vihar and Rohan Abhilasha, has devolved into a “living nightmare” of waterlogging and deep potholes, a stark contradiction to the city’s aspirational “Smart City” ethos and its commitment to equitable urban development.
The deplorable state of the Fire Station–AWHO Vijay Vihar–More Corner–Rohan Abhilasha Road has become a significant impediment to daily life for thousands of residents. During the ongoing monsoon season, the thoroughfare transforms into an impassable quagmire of deep, water-filled potholes and mud, severely disrupting commutes and impeding access for essential services, including emergency vehicles. This persistent infrastructural deficit not only compromises public safety but also erodes the fundamental quality of life for the community, highlighting a critical gap in the PMC’s capacity to deliver basic urban amenities in its expanding jurisdiction.
A particularly poignant dimension to the residents’ collective anguish stems from the fact that AWHO Vijay Vihar primarily houses ex-servicemen, individuals who have dedicated their lives to national service. Anil Kumar Mishra, President of the WACO Welfare Association, articulated the community’s collective indignation, questioning whether the situation reflects “negligence by PMC or a clear case of corruption.” His pointed query regarding the whereabouts of ₹10 lakh, purportedly sanctioned for road development over a year ago without any visible progress, demands immediate inquiry into project implementation and capital allocation accountability within the civic body.
This chronic failure in infrastructure maintenance directly undermines Pune’s strategic objectives for fostering zero net carbon, eco-friendly, and truly equitable urban environments. Crumbling roads lead to increased vehicular wear and tear, greater fuel consumption due to congestion, and heightened carbon emissions, contravening eco-friendly principles. Moreover, impassable roads and inadequate drainage disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, women, and those reliant on public or non-motorised transport, thereby creating significant barriers to gender-neutral mobility and equitable access to urban services. Such civic apathy in a burgeoning area challenges the very foundation of sustainable urban planning.
The residents have articulated clear demands: immediate widening, repair, and asphalting of the road, coupled with the construction of a robust drainage and water discharge system. Crucially, they are also calling for a transparent inquiry into the utilisation of the sanctioned funds and public disclosure from PMC and responsible officers. Mishra affirmed the community’s resolve to initiate “a peaceful, constitutional protest” if their demands are not addressed within a month. This ultimatum serves as a critical test for the PMC’s commitment to responsive governance and its capacity to translate “Smart City” rhetoric into tangible, dignified urban living for all its citizens.
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