Pune: Mundhwa Residents Slam PMC Over Filth, Crumbling Roads, and Traffic Chaos

Mundhwa, 22nd July 2025: “We pay taxes, not bribes. Then why are we treated like second-class citizens?” thundered Moshe Aston, Chairman of Flora Villas Co-op Housing Society, as angry residents of Venkatesh Flora Township, located near Deccan Paper Mills in Mundhwa, staged a powerful protest against years of apathy by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

Fed up with inaction, the residents — many of whom relocated from upscale neighbourhoods like Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar — took to the streets Monday morning, holding banners and chanting slogans demanding urgent civic intervention. Their grievances range from deadly pothole-ridden roads to unchecked builder activity, overflowing garbage, and mounting traffic congestion near the Hadapsar Railway Terminal.

‘We’re Living in Rot’: Crumbling Roads, Open Garbage & Health Nightmares
The protest wasn’t just symbolic — it came from genuine anguish. Residents say that navigating the broken, debris-strewn approach roads has become a daily hazard, especially for two-wheeler riders and the elderly.

“Every other day, someone slips or crashes. I’ve seen kids fall and elderly citizens wince in pain from spine injuries while travelling over these roads. I myself suffered months of debilitating joint pain after contracting Chikungunya due to mosquito breeding near the garbage pile,” said Aston, visibly distressed.

The unattended garbage dump at the township’s entrance has grown into a permanent health hazard. Swarms of mosquitoes, stray dogs, pigs, and the stench have made it impossible for residents to walk or drive past without covering their faces.

“Is this how a growing, modern Pune is supposed to treat its citizens? It’s disgusting. We are living in rot,” added a resident and committee member from Phase 2.

Greedy Builders, Rogue Dumpers & Lawless Development
Adding to the civic nightmare is reckless construction activity. Residents say builder trucks and dumpers — some weighing multiple tonnes — are illegally using narrow residential lanes, damaging internal roads and worsening the already collapsing infrastructure.

“The PMC’s silence is nothing short of complicity. These builders are being allowed to treat our residential neighbourhood like an industrial yard,” one protester said.

Residents also accused builders of dumping construction debris, further narrowing roads and choking drainage systems.

Hadapsar Terminal: A New Commuter Facility, A New Traffic Disaster
While the newly operational Hadapsar Railway Terminal was expected to boost public transport, it has instead become a logistical nightmare for locals.

“During train arrivals, the entire stretch is choked with autos and cabs. We can’t even get an ambulance through. What if there’s a medical emergency? Who will be accountable then?” asked a resident, pointing to the bottleneck.

Residents said traffic has become so chaotic that even entering or exiting the township at peak hours is next to impossible.

Residents’ Demands to PMC and Officials:
The protest culminated in a detailed charter of demands submitted to PMC, including:
Immediate road resurfacing and pothole filling
Installation of traffic signals at Hadapsar St. Road-Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad Signal junction
Strict regulation of builder trucks and illegal parking
Daily garbage clearance and pest control
Enforcement against restaurants dumping waste
Warning signage against garbage dumping
Police and traffic management at Hadapsar Terminal access points
Monitoring of nearby vacant plots for mosquito breeding and illegal activities
Inclusion of civic safety measures like zebra crossings, ramps, and speed breakers
‘From Pigs and Potholes to Pollution and Panic’: A Call for Human Dignity

In a searing closing statement, Aston didn’t mince words:
“When we moved from Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar to Mundhwa, we knew it would be different. But we didn’t expect this descent into filth and lawlessness. First it was a road full of pigs and stray dogs. Now, it’s broken roads, construction chaos, choking garbage, and total civic collapse.”

“This isn’t just about roads. It’s about basic human dignity. About ensuring that our families, children, and senior citizens can live without fear of falling sick or getting hit by a dumper.”

Will the PMC Finally Act?
With the Addnl. Municipal Commissioner, traffic police, and local public representatives now on notice, residents are hoping their united voice leads to meaningful change. But the sentiment on the ground is clear: if the system continues to ignore them, the protests will only grow louder.