The densely populated suburb of Wanavdi lies on the eastern side of Pune. While a major part of the area is under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), a small part of it is governed by the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB). Members of the Wanavdi Residents’ Forum (WRF), a citizen’s body active in the area, and several local residents spoke to DNA about the major issues plaguing this largely upmarket and cosmopolitan locality.
Solid waste management
Residents of this area grapple with all the issues related to rapid development and urbanisation implemented without any planning. But the worst issue plaguing the residents is garbage management.
Overflowing dumpsters, open sorting of garbage by ragpickers, dumping of dry garbage on open plots, street corners and footpaths are a common, yet revolting sight. Members of the WRF
believe that the problem of garbage remains unresolved because the PMC does not have a policy of imposing fines on errant housing societies (societies that do not segregate garbage).
“The PMC needs to follow the 3Ps - publicity, punishment and pick-up to ensure that the area becomes garbage free,” said Susan Raj, WRF member.
Another WRF member, Maithili Manakawad, also said that the poor frequency of the garbage truck (ghanta gadi) in the area is leading to accumulation of filth around dumpsters. The area that comes under the Bibvewadi ward office is very large and lack of ghanta gadis, and drivers not showing up for work are the common excuses cited for the unpicked garbage. In addition to the overflowing dumpsters and unsegregated garbage, residents are also miffed with Swach, the agency appointed by the PMC to pick up and segregate garbage from housing societies. “Swach members are using open plots for segregation of garbage and after they pick the goods that are of use to them, they leave the rest behind,” said Latha Menon, a resident, who has been campaigning to get the area cleaned.
Swach members pick up unsegregated garbage from homes, while they are actually employed to pick up segregated garbage. The wet waste is to be recycled within the societies as vermicompost and the dry waste is to be given to the PMC garbage truck.
Sometimes, the pick-up truck for dry waste turns up only twice a week and until then mounds of garbage keep rotting on footpaths, street corners and plots. It is not only an eyesore, but also poses a fire hazard. The garbage also poses a threat to the Bhairoba nala that flows through the locality. The stench from the nala is unbearable for the residents of Ganga Satellite, a housing society in the area.WRF members have undertaken a clean-up drive of the nala as an ongoing project, but animal carcasses floating in the nala are a big deterrent for volunteers.
WRF members also said that the biogas plant near Nala Park has been non-functional since December 2010.
Roads and traffic
The junction near Kedari petrol pump is in dire need of speed breakers according to Joshi. “Vehicles ply at breakneck speed near this vast junction and the lives of pedestrians are at risk,” he said. Joshi has lodged complaints on the PMC website and has also complained to the traffic police, but nothing has been done so far.
Public conveniences
The residents lament the lack of a public garden and a jogger’s park in this densely populated locality. The only existing children’s playground near Kedari petrol pump is in shambles, and
acquisition of the remaining land to expand the garden is still pending.
Residents also question the status of the land currently listed as a property of Harshavardhan Builders in the heart of the locality. Residents hope that the area can be reserved for a public garden for greater benefit of the community.
Joshi also highlighted the lack of bus shelters in Azadnagar and the poor frequency of PMPML buses in the area.
“There is a need to have buses plying to PMC and Shivajinagar areas. As of now, we have buses plying to Kothrud and
railway station only,” he said.
Joshi also complained about the shifting of three electricity poles jutting into the road near Kroot Memorial School, posing a serious risk to commuters, especially at night.
The growing number of stray dogs and pigs in the area is also a major cause of concern for the residents.
Encroachments
Encroachments by hawkers is a major issue in many parts of Wanavdi, especially on Salunke Vihar Road and near Mahadaji Shinde junction. Hawkers gather at these areas in the evening, causing traffic snarls and congestions.
Azadnagar resident Sunil Joshi pointed out the problem of encroachment near Naren Hills on way to Mohammedwadi. “Hill slopes have almost been cut by buildings. Something must be done about this illegal encroachment,” he added.
Review of policies
Dumping of debris and garbage on open plots has also been cited as a major problem by residents of the area. “The PMC should frame a policy regarding dumping of garbage on open plots,” said WRF member Susan Raj.
“The Nagarik Suvidha Kendra of the PMC is unapproachable due to garbage sorting on the adjoining plot,” added Joshi.
Comments