Pubs in Pune’s Residential Areas? Kalyani Nagar Residents Protest Over Loud Music, Drug Use, and Women’s Safety
Reported by Siddhi Patil
Kalyani Nagar, 19th July 2025: Residents of Kalyani Nagar came together on Friday to protest the growing number of pubs and bars in their residential area. They said that these places are making their neighbourhood unsafe and noisy. Some residents alleged drug use by saying that they have found syringes and pills on the road in the morning.
Elderly people said they are disturbed by loud music at night, and women complained about being harassed by drunk people. Locals are asking why the government has not acted, even after earlier promises to fix the issue.
Yasmin Charania, a resident, raised concerns about women’s safety in the area. “While we take walks at night, there are drunk people harassing us. Why should women feel unsafe in their own locality?” she asked. She also questioned the state’s inaction. “After the Porsche accident last year, Devendra Fadnavis had said pubs and bars should be separated from residential zones. Now that he is Chief Minister, why is nothing being done?”
Suhas Harse expressed health concerns by sharing an experience: “I live on the second floor of an apartment, and there is a pub on the ground floor. There have been several times when I have called the police about a disturbance. One night, the noise was so unbearable that we had to rush my 90-year-old father to the hospital. I am the chairman of that society, and I never gave permission to open a pub downstairs. But it still exists. Is a person’s life not valuable at all?”
An elderly resident, Rajeshwari Lakhani, raised concerns about a rooftop bar in a corporate building. She said, “They are operating a bar on top of a building full of offices. How safe is that for people working night shifts there? Who knows about the fire safety in that bar? In case of fire, how will you evacuate hundreds of people working night shifts there?”
Other residents also spoke about drug-related concerns. “In the mornings, we find syringes and pills lying on the road. Even if there’s a small chance of drug use, how can we ensure our children are safe?” said a resident.
After the statement given by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the state assembly, Harsh Bharwani, a resident, said that “We are shocked by CM Devendra Fadnavis Ji’s statement claiming all pubs and bars are licensed and pose no nuisance. In reality, several establishments operate illegally in residential zones, causing severe noise, traffic, and safety issues. Senior citizens and families suffer daily. We request an immediate investigation into complaints filed with the PMC, Police, Excise, and Fire departments, and urge cancellation of all unauthorized licenses. Kindly restore peace to our neighbourhood.”
The protest by Kalyani Nagar residents reflects growing frustration over the lack of regulation of nightlife businesses in residential areas. As complaints continue to rise, citizens are now demanding immediate action from local authorities and the state government. Whether this protest will lead to stricter enforcement or policy changes remains to be seen.
