Punes Merged Villages Seek 1000 Crore for Basic Civic Amenities
Residents of Pune’s merged areas are pushing for an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore in the upcoming municipal budget, a move aimed at addressing the long-standing issues of infrastructure and civic amenities in these regions. As the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) prepares to present its budget on March 4, the demand highlights the disparity that still exists between merged villages and the rest of the city in terms of basic services.
The call for financial support comes from several residents’ groups, including the Haveli Taluka Kriti Samiti, which represents communities from these areas. Shrirang Chavan, a key member of the group, emphasised that despite years having passed since the merger, the merged regions still grapple with inadequate access to clean drinking water, poorly maintained roads, and insufficient civic amenities. “The residents continue to face severe challenges, especially with regards to basic infrastructure. The authorities must act swiftly to rectify these issues,” said Chavan.The process of merging the 34 villages into Pune’s jurisdiction began in 2013-14, and after a series of legal and administrative adjustments, 23 villages were fully integrated by July 2021.
This merger transformed PMC into the largest municipal corporation in the state, but it also left behind a trail of unfulfilled promises. For instance, residents of these villages were optimistic that the shift to urban governance would lead to better services. Instead, many have seen the situation worsen, especially regarding infrastructure development.One of the most significant grievances from the merged areas is the high property taxes that local residents are now required to pay under the municipal system, a burden much higher than what they previously contributed to the gram panchayats.
Amar Chindhe, a resident of Ambegaon, explained that the hope for enhanced services after the merger has largely remained unfulfilled. “People were expecting improvements in roads, water supply, and waste management, but these areas have been left behind in terms of development,” he said.
The demand for Rs 1,000 crore in the upcoming budget is not just about funding new infrastructure; it is also about rectifying years of neglect. The residents’ groups argue that the PMC must make the development of merged areas a priority in its financial planning, ensuring that these regions receive the same attention as other parts of the city. There have been some signs that the municipal body is aware of these issues.
A senior PMC official confirmed that provisions for the merged areas are expected in the upcoming budget. In the past, the civic body had allocated dedicated funds for these regions, and it is anticipated that this practice will continue.
The fiscal year 2024-25 sees the PMC with a budget of Rs 11,601 crore, an increase from Rs 9,515 crore in the previous year. The municipal administration is also expecting substantial financial support from the state and central governments, with estimates of Rs 2,000 crore in aid. While this marks a positive shift, it remains to be seen whether this budget will adequately address the unique challenges faced by the newly merged areas.
As Pune moves forward, the issues faced by these residents underline a broader challenge of equitable urban development. The growth of urban centres must not come at the expense of areas that are struggling to catch up. The demand for a special allocation of Rs 1,000 crore is not just about rectifying past wrongs; it is a call for a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable approach to urban planning that benefits all residents, regardless of their administrative history.
