Air & river pollution are top concerns for Pimpri Chinchwad residents

The upcoming elections are extremely important for the well-being of the city. Who citizens vote for will not only determine how the next five years pan out, but will also give development the push it needs, while taking steps to protect what is important in the long run — basic civic amenities and the environment, among other factors.While every neighbourhood has specific demands, some issues top the list for almost all residents across areas that fall under the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Curbing air and river pollution are at the top, followed by adequate water supply, traffic management and development of amenity spaces like gardens, swimming pools and badminton courts, as well as more govt schools and hospitals. Many areas in the twin cities are waterlogged during monsoon and residents have been demanding that the drainage lines be updated.Ward ELocated along the Pune-Nashik highway, these neighbourhoods host housing societies and bungalows from even before the civic body came into existence. A significant population of migrants, particularly those working in the Bhosari or Chakan MIDC industries and factories, reside here. Pimpri Chinchwad's only waste depot is located in Moshi and is a big problem for residents of the vicinity because of the stench.Key areas: Bhosari Gaothan, Dighi, Bopkhel, Moshi Gaothan, Gawlinagar & ShantinagarWard numbers | 3, 4, 5 & 7Number of corporators: 16Issues in focus: -Stench arising from the waste depot in Moshi is a major cause for concern-Poor drainage lines, particularly in Dighi and other areas, which cause flooding during monsoon-Frequent power cuts-Low-pressure water supply in several areas-Construction of the roads proposed under the DP is yet to be completed-Condition of existing roads is poor-Waste dumping on the side of the road, which also raises health concerns -Increasing incidents of street crimeResidents SayDrainage lines in this area are not connected to the sewage treatment plant and this results in untreated wastewater being directly discharged into the Indrayani river. This has also impacted residents, particularly in Borhude Vasti in Charholi, where frequent complaints of contaminated water supply have been reported. In addition, the civic body's waste collection vehicles visit the area on alternate days only, causing inconvenience to residents and encouraging illegal open dumping of garbage. Inadequate water supply is another major issue, forcing us to spend a lot of money on water tankers —Vaibhav Tapkir | Charholi Resident_________Power cuts have increased in the recent past and it is damaging our appliances. There is no secondary govt school in Dighi and children have to go to Bhosari or Vishrantwadi for further education. Although PCMC had proposed 12 schools and other amenities such as a hospital and a fire station, none of these projects have been developed so far. Dighi was included in the civic body limits nearly 28 years ago, but we have only been paying taxes since then without receiving adequate civic facilities in return —Santosh Walke | Dighi Resident___________________________Ward FHome to the industrial hub of Talawade, this area has a mixed population of slums and housing societies. A large number of properties around the Dehu Road Ordnance depot are built under the no-construction zone, making them illegal. Some areas also suffer from a poor drainage network and waterlogging as a result. Haphazard parking is another issue in these localities.Key areas: Talawade, Yamunanagar, Chikhali Gaothan, More Vasti, Rupeenagar, Gharkul, Nigdi Gaothan, & Sector 22Ward numbers | 1, 11, 12 & 13Number of corporators: 16Issues in focus:-Lack of clarity on red zone demarcations-Basic civic amenities are missing -No schools and hospitals have been built since land for these institutions is inside the restricted red zone areas-Gharkul Project, the city's biggest housing project under the PMAY scheme, has been facing severe waterlogging during the monsoon for the last decade-Poor drainage network, which often causes waterlogging-Illegal parking on roads leading to heavy congestion-Frequent complaints of unclean water supplyResidents SayThere here are about 6,700 houses in the Gharkul Project alone. For the past 10 years, residents have been grappling with severe waterlogging. There is knee-deep water outside buildings almost every monsoon. We want the authorities to find a permanent solution to this issue. In addition, the basic amenities promised at the time of the project's launch, such as a hospital and a school, should also be provided —Ashok Magar | Resident and President, Federation on Gharkul_________We regularly pay taxes to the civic body, but in return we hardly receive any facilities, because of the restrictions imposed in the red zone area. Despite paying all dues, our structures are labelled illegal, and permissions are not granted for new constructions or even redevelopment. There are no gardens, schools, hospitals or other basic amenities that other taxpayers enjoy. Apart from building roads and drainage lines, the civic body has done nothing for our area — Shrinivas Biradar | Talawade Resident___________________________Ward GSeveral of these areas are located along the Pavana river, which is also the city's main source of drinking water. The river has been categorized among the most polluted rivers in Maharashtra on various occasions by the Central Pollution Control Board. Waste management is also an issue plaguing these areas as most residents are working professionals who need a fixed schedule for collection.Key areas: Indiranagar, Pimpri Gaon, Thergaon, Mhatobanagar & Rahatni Ward numbers | 21, 23, 24 & 27Number of corporators: 16Issues in focus: -Toxic foam near Kejubai bund, Thergaon-Hotspot for mosquitoes causing serious health problems-Many properties which were earlier part of Pimpri Chinchwad New Town Development Authority are still on lease and the residents have been demanding transfer of their ownership, an issue pending for years-Not enough vehicles to collect waste from homes, leading to disruption in the collections schedule. This causes open dumping in many areas-Old network of drainage lines cause frequent incidents of waterloggingResidents SayThere is pollution in Pavana river, particularly at the Kejubai bund, where white foam has often been spotted. There is also hyacinth and a major mosquito problem. Despite raising the issue multiple times, the civic body has failed to find any solution, putting the health of all those living in the vicinity at risk —Rahul Sarwade | Thergaon Resident_________ We get water sparingly as it comes on alternate days and when it does the force is negligible. The garbage vehicle to collect dry waste comes once every 2-3 days and this a big issue. From Jagtap Dairy to Shivar Garden Chowk, traffic has become a perennial problem. We also need corporators to build indoor sports facilities like swimming pools —Uday Sabde | Rahatani Resident___________________________Ward HThe area covers a large population and houses the popular DY Patil University and Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital. In this neighbourhoods the riverfront development project (RFD), currently underway, has caused quite a stir among residents as they fear the loss of a massive green cover to concrete embankments. There have been multiple protests to protect the river and the lush green riparian zone attached to it. However, authorities seem to have ignored the pleas of locals and construction work is on in full swing. Air is another that has the residents hassled. Encroachments, illegal constructions and rise in crime, coupled with fear of diseases spread through mosquitoes is also a cause for concern.Key areas: Sant Tukaramnagar, Vallabhnagar, Kasarwadi, Sangvi Gaothan, Dapodi & Phugewadi Ward numbers | 20, 30, 31 & 32Number of corporators: 16Issues in focus: -Several properties, mostly along the Pavana river, are facing threat of demolition as they fall under the blue flood line-Inadequate and unclean public toilets-Rise in water hyacinth in Mula river has led to a rise in mosquitoes, particularly in areas like Dapodi and Phugewadi-The riverfront development project and loss of green cover-Rise in street crimes, vehicle vandalism and inaction by police has caused a deterioration in law and order-Illegal constructions on gunthewari plottingResidents SayThe main issue here is of the traffic jams caused by the railway crossing. Whoever is elected has to find a solution with the help of experts and submit the same to the higher authorities on how to navigate the chaos. The long line of vehicles often spills onto the highway. Encroachments are another issue —Sumedh Arun | Kasarwadi Resident_________Water supply is a major issue for us. Not only do we already get alternate day supply, but even on the day water comes, the force is poor. In our area many vehicles are parked on the streets and this narrows the bylanes further. Waste collection also need to improve as many societies throw trash out on the streets —Ganesh Kasar | Sangvi Resident