GOOD NEWS | Bhoomipujan for Tathawade–Punawale Underpass Within Six Months: MLA Shankar Jagtap
BJP MLA’s commitment to housing society residents; positive discussions on water supply, waste collection, drainage and safety
Pimpri-Chinchwad | Correspondent
BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap has assured residents that the Bhoomipujan ceremony for the Tathawade–Punawale underpass project will be held within the next six months. He also pledged to prioritise housing societies’ civic concerns and convene meetings with the departments concerned to address water supply, waste collection, drainage and public safety.
Jagtap was speaking at a ‘Jansamvad’ public interaction organised at VJ Infinity Society in Kate Wasti, Punawale. Municipal councillors Reshma Bhujbal and Kunal Vavhalkar, BJP representatives Ram Wakadkar and Rahul Kate, along with representatives and residents of various housing societies, attended the programme in large numbers.
Daily traffic congestion at the existing underpass was a key concern raised during the meeting. Its restricted height and width have caused considerable inconvenience to residents of Tathawade and Punawale.
Jagtap said work on the adjoining service roads had progressed through his intervention. His follow-up efforts for a four-metre-high main underpass had also been successful, he added.
“The tender process has been completed and a contractor has been selected. The work order will be issued,” Jagtap informed residents, assuring them that the project’s Bhoomipujan would take place within six months.
Meeting to Address Irregular Water Supply
Residents of newly developed areas in Punawale highlighted irregular water supply and inadequate pressure. Jagtap said he would hold a meeting with the officials concerned to address these difficulties and work towards regular water supply at sufficient pressure.
He also said efforts would be made to construct a water tank beside the proposed Oxygen Park site to meet the area’s growing water requirements.
No Garbage Depot in the Area, Assures Jagtap
Residents raised questions about waste collection and the collection centre. Jagtap assured them that a garbage depot would not come up in the area and said he would pursue improvements in waste collection with the authorities concerned.
Emphasising the need for long-term waste management planning, he said the city could generate 5,000 metric tonnes of waste daily by 2041, given its growing population and urban expansion. Measures to manage and dispose of this waste would therefore be necessary, he added.
Follow-up with NHAI, State and Union Governments
Residents appreciated the efforts being made for the underpass project and offered suggestions. Jagtap said he was following up with the National Highways Authority of India, the Maharashtra government and the Union government to resolve traffic congestion.
He also promised to pursue connecting-road issues to improve movement within the area.
Taking note of the concerns raised by representatives of Rohan Ananta Society in Tathawade, Jagtap assured them of prompt efforts to resolve their problems. A separate meeting with the department concerned would be convened to address drainage-line issues, he said.
Police Patrolling, Outpost and Tree Pruning Discussed
Residents’ demands for police patrolling and a police outpost were discussed positively. Jagtap said follow-up efforts were also underway for a police station to serve the area.
Housing society representatives raised difficulties in getting trees pruned within their premises. They sought effective implementation of the earlier decision, pursued through Jagtap’s initiative, to waive tree-pruning charges.
Jagtap said the officials concerned would be instructed to ensure effective implementation. He added that directions had already been issued for prompt action on residents’ tree-pruning complaints.
Town Hall Sites to Be Developed for Community Activities
Residents expressed the need for a hall to host cultural and social programmes. Jagtap said sites reserved for town halls in the new Development Plan would be developed to provide these facilities.
He also reiterated his commitment to pursuing the proposed Oxygen Park in Punawale. The park would help preserve greenery and open space while providing residents with a place for recreation and children with a better environment to play, he said.
“Housing Society Residents’ Concerns Will Remain Our First Priority”
“Residents of housing societies gave us the opportunity to serve through their support in the Lok Sabha, Assembly and municipal elections. We recognise the responsibility that comes with this trust, and their civic concerns will remain our first priority. We will convene meetings with the departments concerned and pursue regular water supply at adequate pressure, effective drainage, reliable waste collection and public safety. The Bhoomipujan for the Tathawade–Punawale underpass project will be held within six months. Taking residents’ suggestions into account, we remain committed to the planned and environmentally responsible development of Punawale and Tathawade.”
— Shankar Jagtap, MLA, Chinchwad Assembly Constituency
