Pune: Wagholi Residents Ready for “Do or Die” Agitation Over Civic Neglect, Warns Team WACO President

Wagholi, 28th July 2025: Frustrated over years of civic apathy, the residents of Wagholi are gearing up for an indefinite protest to demand basic amenities. Anil Kumar Mishra, President of Team WACO, issued a stern warning to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), stating that if immediate action is not taken, citizens will be forced to intensify their agitation into a “do or die” movement.

“Despite the complete absence of essential civic services in Wagholi — including roads, drainage, water supply, and waste management — taxes are being collected from residents. This injustice is intolerable, and we are no longer willing to remain silent,” said Mishra in a press statement.

History of Protests
Mishra recalled that Team WACO has been at the forefront of civic activism in Wagholi since 2022. “Between December 2022 and July 2023, we organised four large-scale protests demanding action on critical issues like water supply, road development including DP (Bypass) roads, proper drainage, waste disposal, and the correction of illogical property tax assessments,” he said.

He noted that following the fourth protest held between 20 and 24 July 2023, PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar attended a joint public meeting on 27 July along with assistant commissioners, corporators, and other dignitaries. “At that meeting, the PMC assured us that work on water, roads, drainage, and waste management would begin by September 2023. But it’s been a year, and no meaningful work has been initiated,” Mishra added.

Recent Actions
On 15 June 2025, Mishra launched an indefinite hunger strike on Ivy Estate Road to protest PMC’s negligence, specifically regarding drainage. “We demanded a technical survey, a master plan for Wagholi’s drainage network, immediate commencement of work, and accountability of PMC officials,” he said. While PMC assured a temporary solution, residents claim no long-term progress has followed.

Additionally, Team WACO launched a campaign against what it described as voter suppression by PMC and the Election Department. “Thousands of Wagholi residents have been denied their democratic right to vote. We held a press conference to demand urgent rectification and warned of legal and public action if this issue isn’t resolved,” said Mishra.

Final Warning to PMC
Mishra emphasized that if PMC fails to act on the long-pending issues of roads, water supply, drainage, garbage collection, and property tax anomalies, Team WACO will escalate its agitation. “This is our final warning. We are preparing for a sustained and powerful protest. The voice of the common people cannot be ignored any longer,” he asserted.