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Indian Express
7 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Pune residents demand action as construction debris and dust worsen city commute, air pollution
With the rise in construction activities in Pune, daily commute has become an issue for residents across Kalyani Nagar, Punawale and other areas, where they have to navigate concrete spills and construction debris scattered on the roads. The emission of dust from uncovered dumpers carrying construction material has aggravated the air pollution. Despite repeated complaints from residents, ward officials are yet to address the spillover. 'The D-Mart Lane in Kalyani Nagar is filled with debris due to the careless handling of construction materials. The issue has been persisting since the last week of May, and the road has become unsafe for driving as the debris makes the surface uneven and slippery during rain,' said Monica S, a resident of Kalyani Nagar. Rajeev Apte, who lives in Kumar Sophronia apartment, said, 'The dumpers carrying construction material don't cover their trolley, so the dust emitted has been worsening the air quality. It's adding to the already high air pollution, creating health hazards for residents.' The imbalance caused by uneven surfaces has even caused minor accidents. Rohan Jadhav, a resident of Punawale, says, 'The trucks carrying Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) often spill the concrete, creating sturdy patches. While navigating these patches, vehicles collide on narrow roads, and there have been minor accidents in the past. They wouldn't be spilling it intentionally, but there should be some accountability while carrying RMC.' The residents demanded strict implementation of preventive measures such as proper covering of dumpers and immediate cleaning up of spills. 'Development is necessary, but such construction activities causing inconvenience to others should be checked, and repeat offenders must be penalised,' said Munir Vastani, a resident of Kalyani Nagar. However, repeated complaints to PMC have failed to address this issue. 'We have attached photos and videos of the spillover and mailed to the ward office, also complained on the PMC Care App since last week, but no one has responded. We demand that the officials respond and act swiftly to clear the debris immediately,' added Monica. Speaking to The Indian Express, Manohar Mali, junior engineer at the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), said, 'We have acknowledged the issue and will send a team to clear the spillover. A check will be kept on such activities in the future, and if the issue repeats, action will be taken against the concerned contractor.'
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Time of India
One Year Later, No Change On Ground: ‘Back to square one': Locals say lounges, pubs in Pune flout rules again
1 2 3 A year after the Porsche Taycan car crash in Kalyaninagar on May 19, 2024, which claimed the lives of two young IT professionals, the initial urgency shown by authorities to regulate the city's nightlife appears to be waning. Residents of Kalyaninagar, Koregaon Park and Mundhwa say action that followed — hailed at the time as a much-needed cleanup—has not sustained, and offenders are creeping back. In the immediate aftermath, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), state excise department and the police launched enforcement drives. From May to July 2024, over 72 establishments were inspected, 28 pubs served closure notices, and 14 rooftop eateries sealed for safety violations. Licences of nine establishments were suspended by the excise department for non-compliance. However, citizens' groups said that more than 80% of these businesses resumed operations within three months, often with restored licences and minimal follow-up inspection. "It was a brief show of force," said Monica S, a Kalyaningar resident. "Encroachments came back within days. Rooftop pubs without fire safety clearances are back in action. The public was led to believe things would change, but we're back to square one," she said. Aaditya Patil, another Kalyaninagar resident, said, "There was a noticeable improvement initially — better monitoring, timely closures, and fewer violations. But the discipline didn't last. Today, patrons of eateries serving alcohol spill onto footpaths and roads. Police visibility and citizen pressure have helped control operating hours, but enforcement around licence norms has slipped. Civic engagement is growing, but it's not enough. The balance we had briefly is already fraying." Similarly, Drayson Dixon of Team Swachh Kalyani Nagar said, "Citizens are now more aware and vocal. We've filed over 150 complaints this year regarding noise and operational violations. Despite this, some establishments continue to flout rules, often backed by influence or loopholes. Unless enforcement from PMC and the excise department becomes systemic and unrelenting, we will slip back into pre-crash chaos. " Pune police claimed they have consistently cracked down on drunk driving. As per data, 6,523 motorists were booked for driving under the influence between May 2024 and April 2025 — a 40% increase over the previous year. Regular nakabandis in Koregaon Park, Kalyaninagar and Viman Nagar in the six months following the accident helped deter reckless driving, they said. Residents demurred. Rohan Desai of the Koregaon Park Welfare Association added, "Loud DJ nights, street parking, and alcohol service without proper regulation have resumed. Minor accidents happen almost daily, but there's no deterrence. The lack of accountability is concerning."
