Pune, 31st August 2024: The Vadgaonsheri constituency saw a strong turnout of residents from Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar, Vadgaonsheri, and Kharadi during an inspection tour and interactive session led by Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale and Additional Commissioner of Police Manoj Patil. This initiative was in response to the directives of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who had visited the constituency on 15th August 2024 to address local issues firsthand.
The meeting, held at Bramha Sun City Auditorium at 11 AM, was attended by key figures including PMC Commissioner Rajendra Bhosale, MLA Sunil Tingre, and Additional CP Manoj Patil. The session saw active participation from residents and members of Team Swachh Kalyani Nagar (TSKN), who raised several critical concerns impacting the community.
Key Concerns Raised by TSKN:
1. No Pubs and Bars in Residential Areas: Residents strongly opposed the conversion of residential spaces into commercial establishments like pubs and bars, emphasizing the need to preserve peace and security in their neighborhoods.
2. Rollback of Commercial Establishment Timings: There was a unified call to reinstate the pre-COVID closing times of 11:30 PM for commercial establishments to minimize late-night disturbances.
3. Women’s Safety: Concerns were raised about increased disorder around pubs and bars, leading to calls for stricter regulations and enhanced safety measures for women.
4. Parking Issues: The illegal parking of autorickshaws and commercial vehicles in no-parking zones, especially on arterial roads for better airport connectivity from Nagar Road and Kalyani Nagar, was highlighted as a significant problem.
5. Traffic Rule Violations: Residents voiced concerns over frequent accidents and congestion due to poor adherence to traffic rules.
6. Last-Mile Connectivity and Parking Near Metro Stations: The absence of adequate last-mile connectivity and parking facilities near metro stations was identified as a major concern.
7. Congestion: Persistent traffic jams during peak hours were discussed as a significant quality-of-life issue for residents.
Additional Concerns from Viman Nagar, Kharadi, and Vadgaonsheri:
1. Water Clogging and Drainage Issues: The ongoing issue of water logging during the monsoon season and inadequate drainage systems were brought to the officials’ attention.
2. Property Tax and Illegal Conversions: Discrepancies in property tax and illegal conversions of residential properties into commercial establishments were highlighted as pressing issues.
3. Public Nuisance and Obscenity: Encroachments and unruly behavior in public spaces near restaurants were discussed, with demands for stricter law enforcement.
4. Stray Dog Nuisance: Residents of Brahma Suncity raised concerns about the increasing stray dog population, leading to safety concerns, particularly for children and the elderly.
Official Responses and Assurances:
In response to the issues raised, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) assured residents that a proposal for a new shelter home for stray dogs would be considered to manage the stray population more effectively and reduce associated risks. Additionally, many residents took the opportunity to share individual problems directly with MLA Sunil Tingre, who organized the meet-up for their convenience. Tingre listened attentively and assured citizens of his commitment to following up on their concerns.
Dr. Bhosale and Add CP Patil acknowledged the issues presented and assured residents that immediate steps would be taken to address them. They emphasized the importance of citizen participation in finding effective solutions and urged the community to collaborate with the authorities for the betterment of the constituency.
The session concluded with a pledge from officials to not only resolve the existing issues but also to work proactively in preventing future problems, ensuring a better quality of life for the residents of Vadgaonsheri.