People living in Kolhapur's Ward 18 are losing sleep over a new sewage treatment plant. The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation started building this plant in Varsha Nagar with forty-four crore rupees. Residents from SSC Board, Varsha Nagar, and Subhash Nagar areas say the work disturbs their nights.
Strong Opposition to Plant Location
Local people and a former corporator strongly object to the site chosen for the sewage treatment plant. They worry about negative health impacts on citizens. The protest has grown so intense that citizens plan to file a writ petition in the Bombay High Court. They will name the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation and the contractor in their legal action.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Pravin Bane, a resident of the area, explains the community's stance. He says the municipal corporation is constructing the plant on land reserved for a vegetable market. Residents do not oppose the sewage treatment project itself. They oppose its placement in an urban area because it could harm people's health.
Bane fears the plant will spread a foul smell throughout the neighborhood. He also believes it will pollute the local environment. These concerns are driving the legal challenge against the authorities.
Election Promises and Voter Expectations
Political candidates have made many promises in their to-do lists and manifestos. However, residents in these wards say they will choose their corporator based on one key factor. They will vote for the person who can solve long-standing problems in their areas.
Problems in Wards 11 and 12
Wards 11 and 12 cover much of the old Kolhapur city. These areas feature narrow lanes that suffer from traffic jams and encroachments. A major concern here is the severe lack of parking spaces.
Several locations face heavy daily foot traffic. CPR Hospital, Mahalaxmi temple, Laxmipuri, Khasbaug maidan, and New Mahadwar road areas see around one lakh floating population every day. People arrive in the city throughout the year, causing constant traffic congestion and parking difficulties.
Issues in Expanding Wards 18, 19, and 20
Wards 18, 19, and 20 represent parts of Kolhapur that are growing quickly. These expanding areas struggle with multiple civic problems. Residents deal with garbage accumulation, poor road conditions, and health and sanitation issues.
There is also an absence of primary health care centers in these wards. People report irregularities in their water supply, adding to their daily challenges.
Resident Voices on Specific Problems
Ismail Maner lives in Laxmipuri. He expects the newly elected corporator to address several pressing issues. Solving the parking problem and reducing traffic congestion top his list. He also wants control over the stray cattle population and daily cleanup of large garbage piles.
Maner points out that Laxmipuri hosts a chilli market, a wholesale grain and grocery market, and a big vegetable market. People from across the district visit these markets for their monthly shopping needs.
Narrow roads and encroachments lead to frequent traffic jams. Day-long honking has become a headache for local residents. Since the area serves as a commercial space, garbage accumulates in large quantities every single day. Maner says the municipal corporation fails to collect this garbage properly.
Neglect in Suburban Wards
People living in Wards 19 and 20 feel neglected by city authorities. Suburban residents allege that the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation has ignored their demands completely. While ring roads in these areas remain in good condition, the internal road network is in a pathetic state.
Sarita Kumbhar resides in Surve Nagar. She describes the extremely poor drainage network in suburban areas. Because the area is vast, garbage cleanup does not happen routinely. Residents must store garbage in their homes for three days at a time. Garbage pickup vehicles arrive only once every three days.
Kumbhar adds that the internal roads give residents an off-road experience. These roads have not been restored or repaired for many years, making daily travel difficult and uncomfortable.
