“Smart” Pimpri-Chinchwad Loses Its Footpaths! Reward for the Finder!

Pimpri-Chinchwad: Citizens of Pimpri-Chinchwad have mockingly declared that the city’s footpaths have gone “missing,” sharply criticizing the municipal corporation’s so-called ‘smart’ planning. In a sarcastic tone, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Society Federation has announced, “Find the footpath and win a reward,” expressing their frustration and indirectly taunting the administration.

Though the municipal corporation has technically constructed pedestrian walkways across the city, in reality, it has become nearly impossible for citizens to use them. In many places, footpaths have been overtaken by shopkeepers’ encroachments or are choked with street vendors. As a result, pedestrians have been practically deprived of their right to walk on these paths. The federation stated, “It seems the corporation has followed the maxim of Saint Samarth Ramdas — ‘build something every day’ — when it comes to footpath construction. But they’ve also ensured that pedestrians cannot actually walk on them.”

The federation further challenged, “If any citizen can walk continuously for 200 meters on a municipal footpath without encountering an obstacle, we will publicly felicitate them like a marathon winner.”

The federation has also called on the fire department, police administration, PCMC, and other relevant authorities to take firm action. “These facilities are created from the tax money paid by citizens. Therefore, the benefits must unquestionably reach the citizens,” they demanded.

Footpath or Hub of Encroachment?

While the municipal corporation planned wide footpaths, the actual roads for vehicles were left narrow. These walkways are now plagued by encroaching shops, obstructive hawkers, temporary festival stalls, gatherings of beggars, and illegal parking — turning many parts of the city into what feels like a “ghost market.” The federation also alleged that firecracker stalls set up for Diwali violate fire safety norms. “Accidents could happen at any time. The risk is not just to property, but to human lives,” they warned, urging the administration to treat this matter seriously. The federation added that due to this anarchy, citizens have now decided to boycott vendors and shops that have encroached on public spaces.

Reaction:

“We have footpaths in the city, yes — but there’s no place to even set foot on them. That is the tragic irony of our ‘smart’ planning. If the authorities don’t act against the obstacles violating citizens’ rights, soon even the roads might be sold off! Are we living in a smart city or just dreaming of one?”

— Sachin Londhe, Vice President, Pimpri-Chinchwad Society Federation.