Multiple civic problems beset Pune's best suburbs

Located in the north-west side of the city, Aundh is perhaps Pune's best-known suburbs. The Aundh Vikas Mandal (AVM) is the oldest and one of the most active citizens' groups in the area. In support of DNA's initiative 'My Locality, My Voice', AVM members voiced their concerns and highlighted the issues of the area.

Encroachments
Footpaths have been rendered useless in many areas as hawkers, vendors of fruits, vegetables, flowers and tea stalls have grabbed much of the available footpaths, forcing pedestrians to take to the roads. Residents also detest the encroachment by political hoardings and banners, especially on the crowded Parihar Chowk, that also covers the traffic signals in the area. "This public menace must be curbed immediately," said the residents.

Roads and traffic
The members of AVM also pointed out to the multiple road and traffic related issues of the area which, despite continuous follow-ups with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), have still not been resolved. "The issue of road widening of ITI Road, roads behind Seasons Hotel and Chaitraban Road has been lying incomplete for as long as five years in the case of Chaitraban Road, and three years in the case of the road behind Seasons Hotel," informed the members.

In addition, residents want the authorities to expedite the process of land acquisition and opening of DP roads connecting Aundh to Baner. "The ITI Road is currently the only road connecting the area to Baner and is extremely crowded. Traffic snarls are the order of the day and we would like the PMC to open alternate routes as per the DP," said AVM member, Girish Deshpande.

Deepak Gogate, another member of AVM, also said that paucity of parking spaces within the area was a cause of grave concern. "IT people park their vehicles on the roads instead of the basement parking and the local citizens have to suffer," he said.

Traffic management was another area the residents wished more cooperation from the authorities such as at the Tennis Court junction.

Public conveniences
As is true for most parts of the city, Aundh suffers from the lack of a good public garden and jogger's park. "Out of the four parks reserved for the area, not even one has materialised," said AVM member, Sarayu Sanghvi.

The small Nana-Nanipark that exists in the locality is not enough for the increasing population. PMC-run Gaikwad Garden is also inadequate. Residents like Tina Varma who has lived in the locality for 11 years, are wary of sending their children to a park with rusted swings. "The PMC should charge a nominal entry fee if that is what it will take to properly maintain Gaikwad Garden," said Varma. The residents of the area are also livid over the nonchalant attitude of authorities regarding the need for a post office in the area. Instead of starting a new post office, which was opposed by the postmaster general on grounds of economic unviability, the residents have suggested the shifting of the post office from UoP to the area as a workable arrangement.

AVM members also raised the need for Sulabh toilets in the area, installation of streetlights and high-mast lights at select areas/junctions, shifting of four bus stops including the MSRTC Shivneri stop near Tennis Court junction, completion of footpaths in several areas as well as the issue of garbage and rubble dumping on footpaths.

They also wanted PMC intervention and support in curbing the menace of stray dogs in the area.

Aundh Kutir Rugnalaya/ Natyagruha
AVM members said that the commencement of low-cost medical facilities for the underprivileged at the Rugnalaya (clinic) were to begin in November 2011 as per a PMC letter addressed to the AVM, but the refurbishment of the dilapidated building and its facilities is nowhere near completion. "The issue has been languishing for the past almost one decade," Deshpande said.

They also stressed that the completion of the Natyagruha (multi-purpose auditorium) has also almost overshot its November 2011 deadline. The issue has been ailing for over five years now.

Security hazard
Western Aundh Welfare Association (WAWA) member Arun Gokhale highlighted the need for a policy on the status of unoccupied buildings in the area near Medipoint Hospital. "The 5-6 buildings of about 6 storeys each that were constructed for the underprivileged are lying vacant. It is a safe haven for anti-social elements and a security hazard for residents," he said.

Review of policies
In addition to all the local civic issues, AVM members vociferously demanded a review of policies regarding disposal of garden waste generated by societies for which they have to pay a huge amount every month, ensure quality of workmanship in all contracted PMC jobs and clean work thereafter, audit reports of expenses by corporators be made public and lastly, to curb the usage of public funds by corporators in private societies to appease voters.The work of road widening of major stretches in the area has been lying incomplete for as long as five years