Pune: ‘Urban Development Should Be Citizen-Centric’
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Pune, 27th July 2022: Pune is known for its cultural, educational, historical, and IT industry city, among other features. Due to the huge migration, Pune is expanding day by day. In such a case, the development of the suburbs along with the city is a key issue. Availability of basic infrastructure such as public transport, electricity, and water supply, among others, is essential. To keep this in mind, urban development should have citizen-centric. Along with development, we should focus on the environment also, as mentioned by experts at Pune Urban Development Conclave.
This conclave has been organized by Surendra Pathare, State General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Maharashtra State on the occasion of the birthday of Devendra Fadanvis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Experts from journalism, industry, construction, education, research, and social sectors participated in the conclave held at PYC Hindu Gymkhana. MLA Siddharth Shirole, President of BJP Pune Jagdish Mulick, and General Secretary Rajesh Pande were present at the inauguration.
On ‘Technology for Urban Development, Future Mobility, Urban Infrastructure’, Mandar Devgaonkar, Chairman of BJP’s Infrastructure Cell, Prof. Archana Thosar, Director of COEP’s Research and Development Center, Indranil Chitale, Managing Partner of ‘Chitale Bandhu’, Aditya Javadekar, CEO of Javadekar Group, while Samrat Fadnis, Editor of Sakal, Sanjay Awte, Editor of Lokmat, Sridhar Loni, Resident Editor of Maharashtra Times, Sunil Mali, Resident Editor of Pudhari on ‘Role of Media in Pune Urban Development’ expressed their views. Conclave moderated by Yogesh Deshpande.
Siddharth Shirole said, “The face of Pune will change in the next five years. It is a matter of happiness that the youth are taking an active role in the development of the city. Planning needs action and implementation. While thinking about the development of the city, there should be more emphasis on public toilets, transport etc.”
Jagdish Mulick said, “The development of the city should not be limited to water, roads, electricity and should be thought ahead. For this, people should come forward and contribute without depending on only the government or the system. If they contribute to the development of the city, the country will also develop from it. People’s participation is a big thing. There is the strength of the development.”
Rajesh Pandey said, “Once the policy is decided, it is our job to implement it. But this discussion should not stop at the level of discussion, but conclusions should be drawn from it and converted into implementation. Development planning and direct action are needed while preserving the true identity of Pune.”
Explaining the role behind organizing this conclave, Surendra Pathare said, “Respected Devendra Fadnavis has a special emphasis on urban development. Therefore, this conclave was organized thinking what better birthday gift can be given to our beloved leader to increase the participation of people and youth in the development of the city.”
Prof. Archana Thosar said, “In terms of development, many applied technologies are being developed. The important issue in development is public transport and it should be worked on. Technology is useful in enabling public transport, and efforts are being made to update and make it easier. Research on vehicle tracking, automation, and carbon neutrality is underway. It is. If environmental conservation is emphasized, health will improve. Overall, the city will be a development of the city equipped with modern technical facilities while preserving the culture, tradition, and heritage of the city.”
Regarding the river project, Mandar Devgaonkar said, “Mula-Mutha river is the soul of the city. We are trying to keep it safe and beautified through the river improvement project. PMRDA, Municipal Corporation and Smart City should work together for the development of the city. Environment and health issues should be closely looked at and If people participate in this and raise their own questions and issues, urban development planning will be better.”
Aditya Javadekar said, “The city is growing at a large in the suburbs. So along with the urban development, the development of the suburbs should also be considered. Infrastructure should be built before the construction. Public transport should be enabled. The city’s development will take place only when the people of the suburbs can reach their desired destination completely using public transport.”
Indranil Chitale said, “In Pune , more people depend on micro, small and medium enterprises than the IT sector. If MSMEs are provided with the necessary infrastructure, the quality of their work and production will increase. If the development is planned to keep in mind the future needs, the population of Pune will be two If it becomes crores, its stress will not fall on the planning of the city.”
Development of Pune through the eyes of journalists
“Definitions of development should be broad and not narrow. Aim to provide world-class facilities. Migration is happening in all sectors. When good facilities are available in my city, it can be said that development has taken place. Emphasis should be placed on comprehensive development with the common man in the city as the center. For this, in the political sphere, The working people should go to the root of the problems arising at all levels and think about what can be done to solve them,” mentioned Samrat Phadnis.
Sanjay Awate said, “Development should not be a one-way street. Just building a cement forest does not mean development. Environment and nature must be considered in it. Along with the city, the common man should also develop. It is necessary to pay attention to the peripheral areas, and their development. On the system, on the leaders, on the media, in every area for the people as a whole. People need to be under pressure. People need to raise their voices, ask questions, and have that much belonging and awareness. It is necessary to do comprehensive politics instead of opportunistic politics.”
“Infrastructure should be good, citizens should have opportunity to flourish economically, socially and intellectually, get better education and health, love for their city should be maintained. Slum rehabilitation should be done. It should be planned for the next 20-25 years, not immediate. Public transport If empowered, the problem of the environment will be solved; health will improve. Youth should come into politics for development to happen. But people’s questions and opinions of experts should be listened to by working at the grassroots rather than following positions. From that, the direction of development can be decided,” mentioned Shridhar Loni.
Sunil Mali said, “Development is determined by urbanization. But that urbanization should be accompanied by sound planning. Urban development depends on urban planning. It is a common picture that we win in planning but loses in implementation. Therefore, along with planning, proper implementation is also necessary. Only if politics is different and the means of feeding are different, public interest can be achieved. Politics can happen. If politics is made a means of income, corruption will increase. When the common man feels comfortable and comfortable living in the city, then the city should be considered to be truly developing.”