The announcement of the long-awaited Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, scheduled for January 15, has sparked a wave of civic activism across the city. In Kalyani Nagar, residents are mobilizing to ensure their pressing concerns are heard by candidates vying to become their elected representatives.
Citizens Present Charter of Demands
Leading the charge, the residents' association Team Swachh Kalyani Nagar (TSKN) has compiled a clear charter of demands to present to political parties and aspirants. The document focuses on fundamental urban services that directly impact daily life, moving away from grand projects to address core deficiencies.
The key points include a call for an effective waste management system, urgent repair and maintenance of deteriorating roads, and proper stormwater drainage to prevent the annual monsoon flooding. The group also emphasized the need for clear road markings and signages, alongside the creation of designated parking spaces to reduce traffic congestion.
Safety and Accountability at the Forefront
Residents highlighted specific safety hazards. They demanded the strict implementation of the hawker policy to keep footpaths clear, especially for senior citizens and children. The charter also calls for advance notice for any road repair works to prevent inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians.
Citizens directly linked the worsening of these everyday problems to the prolonged absence of an elected corporator. They stressed that the upcoming election must result in urgent and tangible solutions.
Voices from the Community
Rachana Agrawal, the chairperson of TSKN, stated that their demands are not for luxuries but for basic civic sense and accountability. "For years, we have faced broken roads, blocked drains, and encroached footpaths. With elections finally happening, candidates must commit to fixing these," she said.
Echoing the sentiment, IT professional Rohan Kulkarni pointed to the lack of planning, particularly regarding waterlogging during monsoons due to poorly maintained drains. "This is a major safety issue. We expect the new corporators to prioritise this immediately," Kulkarni asserted.
Senior citizen Meera Joshi focused on pedestrian safety. "Footpaths are meant for people, not vendors or parked vehicles. Children and elderly residents are forced to walk on roads. This has gone on for too long," Joshi remarked.
A Call for Responsive Governance
Beyond the immediate civic issues, residents have appealed for development that protects the environment, greater transparency in civic works, and the establishment of direct communication channels with their future representatives.
With the PMC polls returning after a significant gap, the citizens of Kalyani Nagar, and Pune at large, are insisting that the electoral process must translate into responsive and accountable governance. The clear message is that the city's growth cannot continue at the cost of its residents' everyday suffering.
