Pune: Wagholi’s Bakori Road Residents File PIL For Construction Of Road
Pune, 17th March 2023: Due to a lack of outcomes from silent protests, signature campaigns, regular meetings with MLAs, Corporators, Municipal Commissioners, various office bearers of PMC and PMRDA and dozens of representations since 2013 by the residents of Bakori Road region of Wagholi for the construction of the Bakori Road (Access from Pune Nagar Road going towards Bakori village), the Wagholi Housing Societies Association (WHSA) representing the residents of the Bakori Road neighbourhood region of Wagholi has approached the Bombay High Court to demand the construction of the Bakori Road.
The Bakori Road neighbourhood has only one unconstructed road, which exists only on the proposed DP map, and has large potholes. In some places, it is partially constructed, making it extremely dangerous for vehicles and walking people to commute. Development Plan for Wagholi was prepared by PMRDA and the Pune Municipal Corporation and is in process of being sanctioned by Urban Development. Shockingly, the entire Bakori road has remained unconstructed. The entire connectivity from the Bakori Road neighbourhood is heavily dependent on the proposed DP road. It remains unconstructed even after 10 years of struggle by the residents.
The access road was promised by various builders and developers while selling the apartment/flat units. Over 8,000 Flats are already constructed, and around 35,000 residents are living in the Bakori Road region. Due to the non-construction of the Bakori Road in Wagholi, the residents are suffering daily. The patch is very hazardous, and several life-threatening accidents have already taken place. Even after several representations, meetings with the Authorities and Elected representatives by the WHSA office bearers and residents of the Bakori Road neighbourhood, there is complete inaction from the Pune Municipal Corporation, PMRDA and other authorities for 10 years.
PMC and PMRDA have not even cited their real difficulty. The PMC and PMRDA have the authority to construct the Bakori Road in Wagholi. The issue is affecting over 35,000 residents of the region and the residents of Pune at large. The WHSA is challenging such inaction by Pune Municipal Corporation and the PMRDA.
“Bakori road remains in shambles ever since we started living in Wagholi some 10 years ago. It is the only approach road for thousands of citizens living around this road. The plight of citizens is invisible to the caretakers of Wagholi, with no compassion and humility towards the pain. WHSA knocked on all doors. Many leaders came and promised, but all in vain. Not a single authority has been able to give justice to the fight for our right to an approach road. WHSA is left with nobody but to approach the court to help us in getting the basic infrastructure right for our kids at least,” said Nitin Kumar Jain, WHSA Director.
“We (WHSA- Wagholi Housing Societies Association) have been following up on the Bakori road issues since 2013 with every civic authority, local representatives, MP, and MLA; but no solution has been received to date. Builder lobby cheated the residents by false commitments so as to sanction authorities like PMRDA. This nexus between builders and plan-sanctioning authorities has resulted in punishment like the death penalty for residents. The dumb and deaf system forced us to approach the High Court for final justice,” said Sanjeev Patil, Director of Wagholi Housing Societies Association.
Santosh Krishna, Director of WHSA, said, “Bakori Road houses thousands of flats, numerous schools and colleges, healthcare facilities and hundreds of commercial establishments in its vicinity. People living here have been raising road concerns with the administration, political leaders and various government bodies over the past few years through multiple meetings at all levels; however it always ends in false promises and no timelines. The time has come for people to fight this in court who are now left with no option. We hope this legal battle gives the long deadlock some direction in favour of residents and makes way for Wagholi’s development.”
“Bakori road has been a nightmare for the residents in the area, which also includes around 75+ large housing societies. The current condition of the road has become a serious death trap for the residents. The current road width only allows one side of vehicle movement at a time. This situation raises serious concerns about accidents happening on the road and daily delays for regular office commuters. Given the problems faced by daily commuters, think of issues emergency services vehicles might face in case of an emergency. WHSA has been pursuing this issue for many years at various levels – right from Grampanchayat to the State government. But still, there has been no relief for the residents of the area. After receiving empty promises from all these institutions, finally WHSA decided to approach the court. We are optimistic that we will receive a positive decision from the court for the betterment of the Bakori road residents,” stated Sandesh Shyam Lokhande, Director of WHSA.
“I have been residing in Bakori road for six-seven years. We have made several efforts to get the road constructed. In this area, around 75+ housing societies are present, and around 35000 residents are residing here. The road condition is very dangerous and it’s become a serious death trap for the residents. The entire road is unconstructed and vehicles are struggling like in a circus. On this road, many accidents happen, and still, the situation remains the same. People are facing problems daily while going to the office and doing other work. WHSA has put a lot of effort into this issue for many years on different levels Grampanchayat, ZP, State government, PMRDA, and PMC, but still, there are no valuable results for the residents of the area. Now WHSA filed a PIL in the high court. Hope we will get some positive results from the court for the Bakori road residents,” said Kiran Jayram Mankawale, Director of WHSA.
Speaking on behalf of the Petitioner, Satya Muley, Advocate of Bombay High Court, said “The PMC, PMRDA, other local authorities, and builders all have shown only false promises to the residents who have put in their hard-earned money to buy their apartments in the duly sanctioned projects in Bakori Road region. In recent years the local authorities have demonstrated complete insensitivity towards the hardships faced by the common people who are regular taxpayers. Almost 35000 residents have come to reside in this region in the past decade, but the Bakori Road has remained only on paper. The fundamental Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees full enjoyment of life, which includes the right to the enjoyment of proper roads and streets. The Supreme Court has held – Right to life, including civic amenities like roads etc. Without proper roads and streets, there is a hindrance for the population at large to exploit their full potential of life, and as the Wagholi Housing Societies Association & the residents of Bakori Road region have exhausted all other remedies, they are moving the Bombay High Court to enforce their fundamental rights.”
Join Punekar News Whatsapp Group, Telegram, Instagram And Twitter For Regular Update about Pune City And Pimpri-Chinchwad
