LOHEGAON-WAGHOLI RESIDENT STAGING A PROTEST AGAINST CIVIC BODY AND POLITICIANS FOR NOT RESTORING ROAD IN BETTER CONDITION

Lohegaon-Wagholi residents have been struggling with bad roads for the past three years. They made every possible appeal to approach the Pune Municipal Corporation to restore the roads in better condition, but PMC chose to ignore their cry.

Recently the residents took a new way to protest that will not only teach the civic bodies but also elected representatives. The residents have declared not to pay civic taxes unless the problem is solved. They also warned politicians not to visit their homes for votes as they will be refraining from voting for them.

On Saturday, the residents staged a protest and shouted slogans against the municipal authorities. One of the residents said that despite the merger into PMC, nothing has changed. There are many influential politicians in the area, and they cannot be bothered to resolve our issues; therefore, we will not vote for anybody if the issue is not tackled within a month. Till then, we will not pay taxes or vote for anybody.

Last year the residents demanded speed boats as transport after cabs and autos stopped providing their service in their area due to a 3.5km of knee-deep water. However, neither the civic body nor the politicians came out for help.

On the other hand, the deputy engineer of the PMC Road Department said that after the merger, the road development is on us but there are land acquisition issues regarding stormwater lines. We have not received any clarity yet.

Author: Papiha Ghoshal