MSEDCL, PMC promise to address power & water problems in Autade-Handewadi area

Pune: Autade-Handewadi area residents' protest march on the second day of their agitation prompted PMC and MSEDCL officials to give them assurance to address water and power issues, respectively, at the earliest.Hundreds of residents from various housing societies in the area took out the march on Saturday from Handewadi Chowk to Bhujbal overhead water tank to express displeasure over the delay of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in resolving problems related to water and power supply. Ashish Ingale, one of the agitators, said, "The PMC and the MSEDCL officials assured us of some immediate steps to resolve the problems."He said, "The PMC's water supply department officials assured the residents of finishing the work of a water pipeline from Bhujbal overhead water tank to their area in next six months. This line is expected to give some relief to residents facing severe water problems. The MSEDCL authorities have assured us of a power supply line and provision of related infrastructure in the area to reduce voltage fluctuations. The authorities are expected to issue a letter next week with a detailed plan."Residents said they would follow up with the authorities to ensure that the works were completed within the deadlines. "Our agitation has not ended. We will continue our dialogues with the civic authorities on other pending issues. We will also follow up with local elected representatives on the problems," a resident said.