One Year After Pune Porsche Crash, Kalyani Nagar Residents Say: “Nothing Has Changed, Who Will Take Responsibility?”
Kalyani Nagar, 17th May 2025: As May 19 marks one year since the devastating Porsche crash that claimed two young lives in Kalyani Nagar, residents of the upscale Pune neighborhood are grappling with frustration, anger, and a sense of betrayal. The emotional scars remain fresh—but what’s worse, they say, is that the very issues that led to the tragedy remain unresolved.
“We thought that terrible night would be a turning point. But sadly, it wasn’t,” says one resident, echoing the collective sentiment of a community that has seen promises but little progress.
While the Pune Police, under Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, moved swiftly to investigate the accident and bring those responsible to justice, residents argue that the core systemic issues—underage drinking, illegal bars, and lax enforcement—have not been addressed.
Buck-Passing Between PMC and Excise Department
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Maharashtra State Excise Department, the two bodies responsible for regulating bars and commercial licenses, are being slammed for shirking accountability.
“Every time we raise our concerns, the PMC blames Excise for issuing licenses. Then Excise points fingers back at PMC for zoning and enforcement. Meanwhile, our neighborhood remains a ticking time bomb,” a senior citizen told Punekar News.
Residents say this bureaucratic blame game has allowed illegal and dangerous practices to thrive right in the heart of a residential area.
Recurring Violations Ignored
Despite the tragedy, a disturbing list of issues continues to plague Kalyani Nagar:
Licenses granted to repeat violators
Bars operating in rooftop spaces despite known fire hazards
Alcohol being served beyond designated permit areas
Permit rooms illegally operating as full-scale nightclubs
Encroachments, illegal parking, and brawls disrupting residential peace
Rise in drunken altercations, threatening women’s safety
Encroachments reappearing days after demolition, revealing lack of follow-up
“Are We Not Entitled to Safety in Our Own Homes?”
Residents, especially parents, are deeply worried about underage drinking and reckless driving becoming normalized again. Many express concern for the safety of young women and girls in the neighborhood.
“Are Pune’s daughters and sisters not entitled to feel safe in their own neighborhood? Aren’t we ‘Ladki Bahins’? Why are bars being approved with no parking, no fire safety, and no accountability?” asked one young mother.
The community stresses that this is not a protest against nightlife or economic activity, but a plea for basic law and order in a residential zone.
A Call for Real Accountability
The residents of Kalyani Nagar have now turned to higher state and central authorities, demanding that the PMC and Excise Department be held accountable—not through token demolitions or symbolic raids, but with lasting regulatory reforms and transparent enforcement.
“We’ve had enough of files being passed around. We want action that protects lives—not another tragic anniversary,” said a member of a local citizens’ group.
