Residents of 18 housing societies in the Handewadi-Autadewadi area in Hadapsar have warned of an agitation, including a hunger strike, from May 8 over the lack of civic services and power disruptions even after becoming a part of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Residents Demand Resolution of Long-Standing Issues
The housing societies collectively sent a letter to the PMC and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) seeking a joint meeting to resolve their issues. These include inadequate water supply, huge expenses on water tankers, poor road network, daily traffic jams, and erratic power supply. Residents stated that the issues have not been resolved despite repeated follow-ups, including meetings at the office of the Pune divisional commissioner. They stressed that the administration should come out with specific timelines to address these problems.
Planned Agitation and Hunger Strike
Representatives from 18 to 20 housing societies have resolved to go on a hunger strike on May 8. An agitation against the lack of water supply and power supply disruptions would be held on May 9. They have planned to intensify the agitation in case of no communication from the PMC and MSEDCL over the issues. The problems have been raised on various platforms.
Aasish Ingale, one of the representatives of the housing societies, said, "We had hoped for some positive breakthroughs after the inclusion of our area in the PMC limits, but we are very disappointed now. Residents are paying a huge amount of property tax every year, but they are not getting any good services in return. The PMC collects property tax of over Rs 8 crore every year from the housing societies in the Autade-Handewadi area. More properties are slated to come up. The infrastructure is not matching the growth. We are expecting the PMC commissioner to address our issues on priority."
Infrastructure Deficiencies
The area lacks drainage networks and proper streetlights. There is no garden either. Ingale said the housing societies' representatives expect the civic chief to visit their area and hold discussions on the issues being raised. They also want action against officials responsible for their plight.
