Pune Residents Voice Anger Over PMC Helpline Intimidation, Passport Office Parking Woes
Citizens in Pune are facing alarming intimidation and infrastructure failures, as highlighted during a recent mohalla committee meeting at the Aundh-Baner ward office on Monday. Residents expressed deep frustration over critical issues like garbage disposal, water shortages, and safety lapses that persist without permanent solutions.
Intimidating Calls After Reporting Violations
One of the most serious allegations involved the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) helpline. Citizens reported receiving intimidating calls from violators shortly after filing complaints against them. Pushkar Kulkarni, a Pashan resident, stated, "Citizens have demanded that PMC officials ensure contact numbers are not leaked to violators. If this continues, we will file civil cases against the PMC commissioner, the ward officer, and the concerned department heads."
This breach of privacy has raised significant concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the complaint mechanism, with residents threatening legal action if the issue is not addressed promptly.
Passport Office Parking Chaos
Residents also flagged a major oversight at the newly opened Passport Seva Kendra on Baner–Pashan Link Road. Despite serving families and the elderly, visitors are reportedly barred from parking inside the premises. Kulkarni explained, "Vehicles of staff members spill onto congested roads, and watchmen direct visitors to park on the carriageway. This lack of planning is unacceptable."
He called for a joint meeting with property owners, traffic authorities, and passport officials to reassess whether the parking facilities match the requirements approved during the planning stage.
Tragic Safety Lapses and Infrastructure Neglect
Moreshwar Balwadkar highlighted a tragic safety lapse near the Mula River adjoining Bhimnagar, where a five-year-old boy recently drowned. "We have been asking for barricades or iron mesh near residential areas and roads since last month, but the PMC has done nothing," Balwadkar said. He also demanded localized monthly grievance meetings to ensure greater accountability regarding persistent water shortages in the area.
Meghana Bhandari, a resident of Balewadi, raised multiple concerns:
- Delayed cleaning of storm water drains, with the ward officer assuring that work would start within two days after tendering.
- Non-functioning toilets in slum pockets across Baner-Balewadi-Aundh, characterized by dilapidated buildings, choked drains, broken doors, and no electricity.
- Poor condition of 13 trees uprooted from Baner Road and transplanted near Kaspate Vasti Bridge, with assurances that new work would not be assigned until this is resolved.
Bhandari added that after her complaints, the ward officer promised a meeting between Baner citizens and hoarding companies over alleged illegal tree cutting to improve hoarding visibility.
PMC Response and Denials
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Vijay Naykal denied claims of total inactivity, asserting that 60% of the concerns raised in the previous meeting had been resolved. "The remaining issues are either long-term projects or currently in progress," Naykal said.
Addressing privacy concerns, he added, "The PMC helpline process is anonymous. I have not received a single specific complaint with proof of harassment. If a leak is proven, we will suspend the responsible officer immediately."
Naykal also confirmed that pre-monsoon work would be completed before the rains and that the administration is considering hiring permanent caretakers for slum toilets. Regarding a requested toilet near the traffic police station, he noted that while two spots have been identified, local reluctance to give up land remains a hurdle.
The meeting underscored ongoing tensions between Pune residents and municipal authorities, with citizens demanding swift action on pressing civic issues to improve quality of life and safety in the city.
