Deputy Chief Minister and Pune's guardian minister, Ajit Pawar, has squarely placed the blame for the city's persistent civic problems on the local leadership of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Speaking at a campaign event on Sunday, he absolved both the state and Union governments of any fault.
Pointing Fingers at Administrative Collapse
Addressing the 'Vijayi Sankalp Sabha' in Balewadi, Pawar listed a series of failures as evidence of administrative breakdown. He highlighted severe water shortages leading to increased tanker dependency, worsening traffic congestion, inefficient waste management, and deteriorating air quality in Pune.
The senior NCP leader revealed that a substantial sum of around Rs 1,130 crore had been allocated for the city's development in recent years. He accused the previous BJP-led administration in the PMC of failing to utilize these funds effectively. "If the money had been used properly, Pune could have had pothole-free roads and better connectivity," Pawar asserted.
Specific Failures in Water and Infrastructure
Pawar provided a stark comparison to underline the water crisis. He noted that in the 1990s, Pune's water consumption was about 5 TMC, which has now ballooned to 22 TMC. He stated that securing additional water from sources like the Mulshi dam to meet this growing demand was the PMC's responsibility, a task where the then rulers found no effective solution.
He also criticized the neglect of civic infrastructure in the Baner-Balewadi belt. Pawar pointed to an unused municipal health facility meant for the economically weaker sections and a well-built civic school that was left unattended. "The local leaders should have taken cognisance of these facilities... leaving civic infrastructure worth crores in shambles," he added.
Addressing Political Alliances and Urban Future
On questions about political alignments, Pawar acknowledged potential voter confusion. His NCP is part of the Mahayuti alliance at the state and national levels but is contesting the municipal polls separately. He recalled that similar arrangements existed in the past, such as when the NCP allied with the Congress decades ago.
Looking ahead, Pawar said Pune's civic areas are witnessing rapid urbanization, a trend set to continue. However, he lamented that adequate infrastructure development had stalled after his party relinquished control of the civic body in 2017.
