Pune:Baner-Balewadi Residents Stage Protest, Demanding Basic Amenities
Anannya Rene Dass
Balewadi, 24th June 2023: Approximately 100 housing societies in Baner-Balewadi came together today at 5:30 pm to stage a protest, demanding immediate action to address the pressing issues faced by the residents.
The protest, organized by the Balewadi Welfare Federation (BWF), a non-political organization representing the residents of Balewadi area, aims to fight for the rights and well-being of the citizens. One of the major concerns highlighted by the residents is the lack of adequate water supply in the area.
According to Ameya Jagtap, a member of BWF, despite the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) investing significant funds and implementing a 24×7 water supply scheme, the promised benefits have not been realized. The scheme was inaugurated in May 2023, with assurances that regular water supply would be established within 10-15 days. However, residents of Balewadi Smart City, encompassing more than 100 housing societies, continue to suffer from a severe water shortage, resorting to expensive water tanker services to meet their basic needs.
The issue of water scarcity has been extensively discussed in the monthly meetings of the Balewadi Welfare Federation. Milind Joshi, a resident of Baner-Balewadi, says, “Despite numerous protests in recent years, PMC has failed to take concrete action, offering only empty promises. This has left citizens frustrated and deprived of their fundamental right to access clean and sufficient water, despite diligently fulfilling their tax obligations.”
In addition to the water crisis, residents in the area face a multitude of other problems, including incomplete road construction, deteriorating footpaths, and unsanitary living conditions. The citizens of the smart city demand justice for the substantial property taxes they pay, urging the authorities to address these pressing concerns and ensure the provision of essential amenities.
The protest serves as a reminder to the PMC and local authorities that the residents of Baner-Balewadi will not rest until their grievances are addressed, and their basic needs are met. The Balewadi Welfare Federation reiterates its commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of the citizens, emphasizing the importance of prompt action and effective governance in resolving the prevailing issues.
Vishal (36), resident of Aloma County, said, “There’s no water in societies; they have to rely on water tankers, and even that water is not clean.”
Shubhangi Ingavle, a teacher and main committee member of BWF, said, “There’s no coordination between authorities of PMC, Metro, & Smartcity. The roads are dug up for metro construction, worsening the already existing road problems. And the people responsible for repairing roads keep procrastinating it. No road is constructed properly here; to get from Balewadi to Baner, it takes 1 hour.”
Prakash (40), resident of Supreme Farms, said, “Gas is coming from the pipeline, but to supply water, tankers have to come. How ironic. After 20 years of this being a smart city, stakeholders like PMC, the government, should only be ashamed of this because they cannot provide us with basic facilities. There’s no traffic signal, water, roads, and nobody in PMC, corporates, etc. are bothered about resolving these issues.”
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