Pune: Mahalunge Residents Urge Deputy CM Ajit Pawar to Address Infrastructure Issues

Varad Bhatkhande

Mahalunge, 11th February 2024: Residents of Mahalunge Village, which merged under the jurisdiction of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in 2021, have voiced their concerns over persistent infrastructure challenges. The Mahalunge Balewadi Housing Societies Forum has penned a letter to the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Guardian Minister of Pune District, Ajit Pawar, urging attention to uplift the area’s infrastructure and enhance residents’ quality of life.

In the letter addressed to Deputy CM Pawar, the forum highlighted three key issues plaguing Mahalunge and its residents:

1. Radha Chowk Traffic Jams: Residents encounter daily traffic congestion at Radha Chowk, a vital junction connecting Mahalunge and Baner Pune areas. The forum emphasized the urgent need for upgrading Radha Chowk with wider underpasses, efficient traffic signals, improved service road quality, and enhanced traffic flow management, especially towards the Balewadi stadium due to high traffic volume during peak hours.

2. Mahalunge-Hinjawadi IT Park Road: The road linking Mahalunge and its societies to the Hinjawadi IT Park is in poor condition, with incomplete bridge work, potholes, and inadequate lighting. The forum urged expedited completion of pending infrastructure works, and installation of footpaths, lights, and CCTV cameras along the road to ensure safety.

3. Water Shortage to Housing Societies: Residents highlighted the ongoing water shortage issue, necessitating reliance on expensive water tankers despite paying taxes. They urged PMC to devise a long-term plan for constructing water tanks or installing pipelines to alleviate this financial burden.

Approximately ten housing societies jointly submitted the letter to Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who subsequently forwarded it to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) CEO and Pune Police Traffic Branch Deputy Commissioner for further action.

Mahalunge Village is experiencing rapid urbanization, driven by its proximity to Katraj-Dehu Road Bypass and Hinjawadi IT Park, as well as its favourable connectivity to Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad areas. With nearly three years since its merger with PMC, residents are hopeful for prompt resolution of their infrastru

cture concerns.