Pune Citizens' Group Accuses PMC of Unnecessary Footpath Repairs, Wasting Public Money
A prominent citizens' group in Pune has strongly objected to the ongoing footpath repair works being executed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), alleging that the drive involves unnecessary and wasteful expenditures of taxpayer money. The Sajag Nagrik Manch has claimed that the civic administration is laying tiles and paver blocks without valid justification at multiple locations across the city.
Allegations of Damaging Good-Quality Footpaths
Vivek Velankar of the Sajag Nagrik Manch stated, "The civic administration has laid tiles and paver blocks for no good reason at many spots. They have also damaged good-quality footpaths to repair them again. It is simply a waste of public funds." The group has backed its claims by sharing photographs on social media and with PMC officials, particularly highlighting problematic repair works in Model Colony.
Velankar added, "It is evident from the photos that the tiles on these footpaths were replaced just last year and are still in good condition today. However, wasting taxpayers' money, these tiles are being unnecessarily replaced." He emphasized that PMC's 'Footpath Repair Campaign' is intended to make footpaths encroachment-free and install barriers to prevent vehicle entry, but instead, it is focusing on replacing already functional tiles.
PMC's Defense and Official Response
In response, the Pune Municipal Corporation has refuted these allegations, asserting that due process was followed for the repair drive. A senior official from PMC's road department explained, "Our officials had gone to check the situation on ground. The repairs were initiated only after inspections." The civic body launched the footpath repair campaign in January after a survey identified at least 42 kilometers of pavements in poor condition across Pune.
PMC additional commissioner Omprakash Diwate, when contacted, said, "Our teams will visit any problem spots highlighted to check the issues raised. A number of footpath repairs, including those funded by CSR, are being carried out at the moment. We will assess if the complaints raised by this group correspond to the works being carried out under the 'Footpath Repair Campaign', or are under any other drive."
Broader Concerns and Citizen Activism
The Manch has issued a statement noting that while the campaign is welcome in theory, its implementation is faulty. Members further asserted that good-quality and wide footpaths are essential for providing pedestrians with safe, well-maintained spaces to walk and prevent accidents. Citizens and activists have pointed out that many such initiatives lack consistency and are often reduced to photo opportunities ahead of major events.
On the other side, civic officials mentioned that extensive excavation has been carried out on roads and footpaths across the city, especially in central Peth areas, partly for CCTV installation to enhance public security. The objective of the new campaign, they said, is to provide safe, clean, and obstacle-free pedestrian routes by repairing broken, damaged, and encroached footpaths on major roads.
The ongoing dispute highlights the tension between municipal efforts to improve urban infrastructure and citizen oversight demanding accountability and efficient use of public resources in Pune.
