Pune: Kalyani Nagar Residents Appeal for Safer Relocation of Homeless Individuals

Anaum Shaikh

Kalyani Nagar, 15th October 2023: Residents of Kalyani Nagar are urging authorities to safely relocate beggars and homeless individuals who have set up makeshift encampments along the area’s roads. The settlements not only affect the hygiene and aesthetics but also pose a safety risk to these vulnerable populations, especially due to potential hit-and-run incidents.

The makeshift encampments typically include hanging clothes on bus stops, litter scattered due to a lack of sanitary facilities, and individuals smoking near both residential and corporate buildings. This situation has increasingly disrupted the peaceful coexistence between residents and corporate employees in the area.

One of the main concerns expressed by residents is the safety of the homeless individuals themselves. Often found lying in the road, they are at risk of being involved in accidents, particularly hit-and-run incidents. Residents argue that these individuals deserve safer and better living conditions, just like anyone else.

Jaffar Iqbal, Trustee of Team Swatch Kalyani Nagar, said, “A few days ago, I found a beggar drunk and passed out on the road. He could have easily been hit by a speeding car late at night. Their settlement under the metro bridge is highly unsafe, and their littering in the area is a nuisance. We have contacted the local ward office several times over the past year for their relocation, but to no avail.”

Divesh Agarwal, CEO of Aumni Techworks and a local resident, stated, “We often find beggars intruding on our premises, asking for money, and smoking near both corporate and residential buildings. While we empathize with their plight, their current presence along the roadside endangers their lives and affects the cleanliness and overall ambiance of our neighborhood. Despite bringing up the issue with PMC Officer Somnath Banker, followed by some officials visiting the area, nothing has been done so far. The problem persists.”

Residents have been proactive in raising these issues with local authorities, repeatedly seeking the intervention of their local Ward office to address the situation. They hope that their plea for a safer relocation will benefit everyone involved, ensuring both the welfare of the homeless and the tranquility of Kalyani Nagar.

PMC authorities could not be reached for comments on the issue.