Pune: Punawale Residents Appeal to MP Barne for Solutions to Traffic, Metro Oversight, and Forest Protection Ahead of Elections

Varad Bhatkhande

Punawale, 3rd May 2024: Punawale – Pimpri Chinchwad Residents Forum has penned a letter to Shrirang Appa Barne, the two-time sitting MP of Maval Lok Sabha constituency, who is set to contest for the third term from the same constituency under the Mahayuti alliance. In this letter, the forum is seeking solutions to several issues they are currently facing, anticipating his reelection.

The letter highlights these issues:

1) Traffic Congestion: The Punawale Pimpri Chinchwad Residents Forum underscores the dire traffic situation in their community, particularly at the Punawale-Tathawade underpass. They express concerns about safety issues for emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists due to the traffic chaos. Despite the announcement of an elevated corridor project nine months ago, progress has been slow, leading to disillusionment among residents. The Forum alleges that the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has exempted itself from responsibility, and there’s a lack of urgency from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The residents request the MP’s intervention to advocate for interim measures to alleviate traffic congestion, such as constructing temporary or alternative roads.

2) Metro Project Oversight: The letter mentions that the proposed metro line (Nigdi – Kiwale – Ravet – Wakad) has overlooked Punawale, despite the area’s struggle with increased population and traffic bottlenecks. The residents requested correction of this oversight, indicating it may be an error in the project’s declaration.

3) Forest Protection: The Punawale forest is under threat from illegal chopping and forest fires, resulting in the destruction of green cover in an area already burdened by pollution. The residents appeal for support in allocating funds from the MP’s quota for installing fencing and deploying guards to protect the Punawale forest.

The residents express their support for the MP’s candidacy and wish him luck in the upcoming election. They emphasize the importance of prompt action to address the concerns raised and improve the daily lives of the constituency’s residents. Overall, the letter urges the MP to intervene and support measures to address traffic congestion, ensure inclusion in infrastructure projects, and protect the environment in Punawale.