Pune: Wagholi Resident to Launch Indefinite Hunger Strike Over PMC’s Neglect of Drainage Crisis

Wagholi, 14th June 2025: Highlighting years of civic apathy, a local citizen group in Wagholi is taking a bold step to demand action on the area’s persistent drainage issues. Anil Kumar Mishra, a representative of Team Wagholi Against Corruption (Team WACO), has announced that he will begin an indefinite hunger strike from 10 AM on Sunday, June 15, near Ivy Estate Road.

For several years, residents of Ivy Estate Road have been grappling with overflowing drains, especially during the monsoon season. However, even in dry months, they say the situation remains dire, with sewage overflow, foul odour, and unhygienic surroundings putting public health at risk.

“Despite filing numerous complaints with the Pune Municipal Corporation, we have seen no lasting resolution,” said Mishra. “We are left with no choice but to resort to non-violent protest to wake the authorities from their slumber.”

The hunger strike, described as an Aamaran Anshan, is aimed at pushing for a sustainable and accountable civic response. Organizers insist that this is not just about a single street or society but a broader fight for basic urban dignity across Pune’s expanding suburbs.

The protesters have listed the following key demands:
Immediate and permanent repair of the sewage and drainage infrastructure.
A structured and publicly disclosed plan with budget allocation for long-term solutions.
Action against PMC officials responsible for repeated lapses and inaction.
Mishra urged citizens, social organizations, and the media to extend support. “We want this protest to become a movement,” he said. “It’s time that authorities listen to the voices of ordinary citizens demanding nothing more than clean, safe living conditions.”