Wadgaon Sheri residents demand better waste management and water supply

Pune: Residents of Wadgaon Sheri (ward 5) have released a hard-hitting charter of demands, highlighting years of neglect by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) since the last election in 2017. Despite a population surge, the locality continues to struggle with poor waste management, contaminated water supply, incomplete sewage infrastructure, unsafe roads, and missing footpaths, the charter said.
Residents said new housing projects have mushroomed over the past decade, with several more under construction. However, infrastructure and basic amenities failed to keep pace with this growth.The charter highlighted concerns that Wadgaon Sheri did not receive a fair share of development funds when compared to neighbouring areas such as Kalyaninagar, despite its higher population density. The neglect is visible in everyday issues related to cleanliness, water supply, mobility, pedestrian safety and unchecked encroachments, it said.Mira Shah, a member of Clean Wadgaon Sheri Citizens' Group, who initiated the charter, said the demands were not about luxury projects but long-overdue basic facilities. "Wadgaon Sheri grew rapidly, but civic facilities remained stagnant. This charter reflects what residents face daily and what needs immediate attention," she said.Cleanliness featured prominently in the demands. Residents sought daily mechanised solid waste collection from all households, removal of feeder points and chronic rubbish spots, proper segregation facilities near schools and public areas, scientific disposal of sanitary and hazardous waste, and the establishment of a local resource recycling centre.The charter called for a regular supply of uncontaminated water at adequate pressure, construction of additional overhead tanks to eliminate dependence on tankers, speedy completion of the Kharadi sewage treatment plant, and proper linkage of drainage lines to treatment facilities to prevent untreated sewage from entering the river.Traffic congestion, unsafe roads and poor public transport made daily commuting difficult. Residents demanded completion of long-pending road links to Kalyaningar, widening of bottleneck stretches, construction of a proper roundabout at key intersections, full-length road repairs as per norms, better pedestrian crossings near schools, improved bus services and removal of abandoned vehicles.Rajan Batra, who was involved in the initiative, said the surge in voters changed the political importance of the ward. "With such a large and diverse electorate, candidates can no longer ignore Wadgaon Sheri's problems and expect support," he said.Another resident, Shyamal Basu, said the charter was meant to ensure accountability after the PMC election. "We want clear commitments from whoever gets elected, and we intend to follow up until these basic issues are resolved," he said.The document also stressed the need for walkable footpaths, free from encroachments, hanging cables and overgrown branches, particularly on routes used by schoolchildren and senior citizens. Finally, people sought strict action against illegal hawkers and eateries, alongside the creation of a planned hawkers' zone with basic facilities.By placing their collective demands before all candidates, Wadgaon Sheri's residents signalled that development and governance would be central issues this election.The charter was prepared based on reports and letters by the residents, including Ateesh Agarwal, Surendra Agarwal, Raman Bohra, Pankaj Joshi, Prakash Kadam, Anil Melwani, Vinod Sharma and Aba Shetye.

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