Pune: Handewadi Residents to March on MSEDCL Headquarters if Pending Power Works Remain Incomplete
Reported by Shoaib Tadvi
Handewadi, 2nd June 2026: Residents of the Autade-Handewadi area have threatened to launch a fresh and intensified agitation against the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), alleging that the power utility has failed to fulfil commitments made after a major protest held in May.
Under the banner of Voice of Handewadi, residents accused MSEDCL of delaying critical electricity infrastructure works despite written assurances given by senior officials following a two-day agitation on May 8 and 9.
According to residents, the area has been grappling with inadequate power supply, frequent outages, and voltage fluctuations for several years, affecting students, homemakers, senior citizens, working professionals, and local businesses.
Following the protest, MSEDCL officials from the Rural and Urban divisions reportedly assured residents that all pending electricity-related works would be completed by May 30. However, locals claim that several key projects remain unfinished, leading to growing frustration among citizens.
“The agitation was temporarily suspended only because residents trusted the assurances given by MSEDCL. Unfortunately, that trust now appears to have been misplaced. The administration should not test the patience of the people any further,” said Isha Arora, representative of Voice of Handewadi.
Residents also expressed concern over an increase in lift breakdowns caused by sudden power interruptions and voltage fluctuations.
“Frequent power interruptions and voltage fluctuations have led to a rise in lift breakdowns, resulting in residents getting trapped inside lifts. This has raised serious safety concerns and created an atmosphere of anxiety among residents,” said Rohan Jatkar.
The organisation further alleged irregularities in the installation of a Ring Main Unit (RMU) in the locality. Residents claimed that while the RMU was inaugurated by officials, the required back-feed power supply has yet to be made operational.
Voice of Handewadi representative Vinod Shinde warned that if visible action and measurable progress on pending works are not seen within the next four days, residents will launch a much larger agitation.
Ashish Ingale, another representative of the organisation, said the protest would soon be escalated beyond the local level.
“The movement will not remain confined to the local level. Residents are prepared to take their protest directly to senior officials at MSEDCL’s headquarters in Rasta Peth. A sustained public campaign will also be launched to fix accountability and publicly highlight the names of officials who repeatedly fail to honour commitments made to citizens,” Ingale said.
The organisation has appealed to elected representatives and local leaders to support the residents’ demands and participate in the movement.
Meanwhile, Voice of Handewadi stated that residents no longer want fresh assurances or deadline extensions but are demanding immediate implementation of the promised works and a permanent solution to the area’s electricity problems.
“MSEDCL still has time to honour its commitments. If it fails to do so, the administration alone will be responsible for the consequences arising from the intensified public movement that follows,” warned Ankit Rajput.
The organisation also announced that it would soon raise issues related to alleged civic negligence by the Pune Municipal Corporation and release a separate action plan addressing pending civic issues in the area.
