Residents want G20 makeover to last, call for sustained efforts

PUNE: The beautification works carried out in the run-up to G20 meetings could be a short-lived affair, citizens said, while recalling similar exercises of the past, which fizzled out over time.
"The cosmetic changes carried out by the civic authorities ahead of the G20 meetings expose the irony of the entire exercise. Why do we need an event to bring about beautification of the city? Why can't the civic body undertake such exercises on a regular basis? What are we paying taxes for, if not for better facilities?" asked Kasba Peth resident Aniket Mundada.
He said huge money was spent for lighting up historical monuments like Shaniwarwada, keeping the roads spick and span and removing garbage over the last five days.
"The authorities should build sustainable beautification projects to create an identity of the city. The temporary arrangements create a false impression of Pune, which is wrong," Baner resident Rasika Bapat said.
Priyanka Bhosle, a resident of Sinhagad Road, was quick to add the transformation of Senapati Bapat Road. "It's a wonderful feeling when you see this kind of road and the beautification work. Works ahead of G20 meets show that PMC can complete works in a short span, if it wants," she said.
Bhavesh Shah of Shivajinagar said public participation was key to maintain beautification projects. "Actions against people littering the city or spitting at public places should be a regular exercise," he suggested.
As per the civic data, the civic administration has spent around Rs50 crore on the preparations ahead of the G20 meets. "The PMC has been getting good response from the citizens about the beautification works. We got into a public-private partnership for the makeover and will continue with the model going ahead," said Prashant Waghmare, city engineer of PMC.