VIP Roads vs. Vital Services: Pune’s Civic Priorities Under Scrutiny
Sumit Singh
Wagholi, 8th September 2023: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Vikram Kumar is facing severe backlash from the citizens of Pune, particularly those in the Wagholi area, for what they perceive as a startling misalignment of priorities. While the PMC has recently announced a massive beautification project for 15 VIP roads, citizens are crying foul over the glaring issues of potholes, water shortages, and crippling traffic woes plaguing the city.
Wagholi residents have borne the brunt of this neglect, with their grievances falling on deaf ears. They have relentlessly struggled with substandard roads, erratic electricity supply, and a dearth of water resources. Their desperate attempts to seek justice through meetings with PMC officials have yielded nothing but empty promises.
Pune: Citizens Suffer While PMC Commissioner Plays VIP Road Politics
One of the main arteries connecting Nagar Road to Viman Nagar via Wagholi and Lohegaon has reached a state of disrepair that is causing alarm. Potholes, which have grown to crater-like dimensions, pose a severe threat to road users. Concerned citizens have taken to social media, with one resident lamenting, “The moon has fewer craters than this road.”
Twitter has become a platform for citizens to air their grievances, with numerous posts highlighting the dire situation. Prakash Bhau Jamdhade, the head of the Wagholi division for a local political party, pointed out the hazardous road conditions that have led to accidents, affecting schoolchildren, women, and residents alike.
Adding to the cacophony of voices is another Twitter user who drew attention to encroachments along Bakori Road, causing traffic nightmares, especially around BJS College and Reliance Mall in Wagholi. Calls for action have been met with frustration as residents demand alternative arrangements for street vendors.
In light of escalating traffic congestion, one frustrated citizen even proposed the deployment of reserve police officers with canes to deter wrong-side drivers and prevent further jams.
Another Twitter user highlighted the daily traffic gridlock on Bakori Road, BJS Road, and JSPM Chowk in Wagholi, urging PMC to allocate permanent staff to address this chronic issue.
Residents have also expressed their dismay at the lavish spending on entertainment and celebrity events, while essential civic issues like pothole repair continue to be sidelined due to apparent budget constraints.
In a recent tweet, a resident implored PMC to remove illegal encroachments from Bakori Phata to Neo City, citing these obstructions as the root cause of daily traffic chaos.
The frustration among Pune’s citizens appears to be reaching a boiling point, with many questioning whether PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar is truly attentive to their concerns. As the city grapples with critical civic problems, the PMC’s focus on beautifying VIP roads has sparked outrage and skepticism among residents. PMC finds itself under a glaring spotlight, facing mounting pressure to address these pressing issues promptly.
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