Pune Residents Voice Specific Demands Ahead of Civic Elections
Citizens across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad share common needs. They want consistent water supply, clean air, more green cover, better roads, smooth traffic, safe neighborhoods, and dedicated amenity spaces. However, many smaller communities face unique challenges that deserve equal attention from local elected representatives.
Without corporators for three years, larger issues have worsened. Niche and marginalized communities now face additional troubles they insist must be addressed. Elected representatives hold the power to improve living standards for smaller social groups not just in their wards, but throughout the entire city.
Senior Citizens Seek Basic Comforts
Pune once earned the nickname "Pensioner's Paradise." Rapid city growth has degraded infrastructure. Now, even a short trip to the grocery store becomes difficult for many elderly residents.
"We need accessible footpaths in good condition," said 73-year-old Chalakudi Subramanian Krishnan from Bavdhan. "Broken paver blocks and uneven surfaces create hazards for senior citizens. Railings on slopes and speed breakers in high traffic areas would help elderly people cross roads safely."
He emphasized the critical shortage of public restrooms. "The city lacks enough maintained and clean public toilets," Krishnan added.
Walkable footpaths represent the most common demand among senior citizens living in different localities. They also need protection from overpriced services. Arun Deshmukh, founder of senior citizens' organisation Park State, highlighted the financial strain.
"A simple rickshaw ride for short distances costs Rs50," Deshmukh explained. "Drivers insist on this instead of the Rs25-30 meter fare. Roads prove difficult to navigate, and autos remain expensive. Senior citizens without pensions face this as an added burden. It becomes hard to sustain."
Cybercrime poses another major concern. "Police and relevant authorities must step up," Deshmukh stressed. "Countless senior citizens fall prey to scams and lose life savings. Awareness helps, but catching cybercrooks represents the only real solution."
LGBTQIA+ Community Faces Housing Challenges
For LGBTQIA+ community members, housing tops the list of routine concerns. Transgender persons struggle to find homes. Even same-sex couples face difficulties due to resistance from housing society members.
Anil Ukrande, president of the Yutak LGBTQ Trust, acknowledged government progress on employment opportunities for transgender persons. "Finding homes remains challenging," Ukrande noted. "Vacant government buildings could provide transgender-friendly housing, improving quality of life for community members."
He suggested corporators could push for cheaper, more accessible medication for gender dysmorphia at government hospitals. "Mental health services need greater affordability and accessibility," Ukrande added.
Executive director of Mist Foundation Sriram Sridhar emphasized the housing struggle for transgender individuals and same-sex couples. "Corporators need to introduce an anti-discrimination law," Sridhar told TOI. "Such legislation would foster a truly inclusive mindset. It could protect LGBTQIA+ community members facing housing issues, violence, or employment discrimination. Filing police cases might also become easier."
Persons with Disabilities Demand Inclusion
Inclusion for persons with disabilities begins with accessible polling booths. Anita Iyer, founder of Ekansh Trust, called for ramps, tactile marking, and voting assistance.
"We've long tried to streamline government offices and city roads according to existing laws," Iyer said. "Uneven surfaces, road obstructions, and overall inconsistency create major issues for footpaths and carriageways. Corporators should examine everything through an inclusive lens—education, roads, government schemes, health services."
She suggested sensitization workshops for corporators to better understand PwD community needs.
Reema Patil, who is visually impaired, prioritized even surfaces. "All potholes should be filled," Patil insisted. "Footpaths need improvement for safe walking. Bus stops, railway bogeys, and public transport could feature audio beepers for navigation. Employment opportunities and technical skill development would greatly enhance our quality of life and self-reliance."
Irfan Pathan, a Sinhagad Road resident who uses a wheelchair, described difficulties entering the Pune Book Festival. "Small issues like this could resolve easily with community inclusion in planning," Pathan suggested. "Corporators should explore entrepreneurship opportunities for PwD independence. Skill updates and awareness about various schemes within their wards would help. Even work-from-home opportunities could benefit PwDs who cannot leave home."
IT Professionals Struggle with Infrastructure
Software professionals choose to live near tech hubs like Hinjewadi or Kharadi for convenient office commutes. However, road infrastructure in these upcoming neighborhoods barely meets minimum standards.
Residents of Tathawade, Punawale, Mhalunge, Wakad, and parts of Baner primarily travel to Hinjewadi for work. Shoddy roads, waterlogging, endless traffic snarls, missing footpaths, and pervasive dust make working and living in these areas challenging.
Pavanjeet Mane, president of Forum for IT Employees Maharashtra chapter, highlighted water supply issues. "Residents pay heavily for water," Mane explained. "Basic infrastructure remains missing where it exists, tanker mafia prevents civic supply from reaching residents. This manmade scarcity has persisted nearly a decade. Lack of civic planning in IT park areas reflects in everyday issues and companies leaving the city."
Mane, who resides in Mhalunge, called for better connections to decision-makers. "We need corporators to create a system connecting us to the chief minister or deputy CMs for quick issue resolution," he said.
He also mentioned termination and notice period issues for IT employees, plus awareness about available jobs as concerns corporators should address.
Dattatraya Deshmukh, an IT professional and Wakad resident, identified travel time as his biggest issue. "Poor infrastructure often forces companies to relocate," Deshmukh noted. "Employees who bought homes near workplaces suddenly face long commutes. Corporators should investigate why companies leave and prevent repetition. Reduced travel time would improve all employees' quality of life."
Diverse Groups Voice Additional Concerns
Sanjay Munhot, President of Laxmi Road Traders Association, highlighted parking and traffic problems. "Narrow roads in core city areas become worse with parked vehicles," Munhot said. "Pedestrians use roads when footpaths prove inaccessible. Elected officials must work on dedicated parking spaces around Laxmi Road, as businesses suffer. We also need public toilets for women in this area."
Ajinkya Udane, Pune Co-Chapter Head of National Restaurant Association of India, emphasized hospitality industry challenges. "Lack of corporators makes raising questions difficult," Udane stated. "Pending issues include property tax and sky sign fee reductions. We want faster, more efficient permit processes and access to the municipal commissioner."
Keshav Kshirsagar, President of Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, addressed autorickshaw regulation. "Unregulated growth pushes our city beyond capacity," Kshirsagar warned. "Easy loans and open permit policies flood streets with 9-10 new autos daily, creating congestion. New corporators must correct this through rational permit control. Migrant auto and cab drivers need access to affordable government housing schemes."
Psychology student Nikita Rajpurohit focused on student needs. "Terrible roads make college commutes challenging," Rajpurohit said. "Better infrastructure would reduce travel time and traffic. Improved library facilities throughout the city would help students living far away. Public transport requires enhancement for seamless commutes."
Animal welfare activist Neena Rai called for transparency. "We want clarity on animal bite statistics involving pet dogs or community animals," Rai explained. "Corporators must push for increased sterilization and anti-rabies vaccine drives with volunteer help. Civic bodies should disseminate information, while officials and police need sensitization to resolve human-animal conflicts correctly."
Prashant Girbane, Director-general of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, emphasized economic development. "Corporators must proactively attract investments," Girbane asserted. "Higher investments create local jobs and strengthen Pune's economy. PMC should establish an Investment Promotion Centre. Dedicated spaces for women-led enterprises would encourage entrepreneurship and local employment. Corporators should ensure infrastructure meets Global Capability Centres' needs, as they generate employment faster than traditional IT companies."
As residents prepare to vote on Thursday, candidates' plans for these often-ignored issues will influence how marginalized community members cast their ballots.
