By- Paramita Datta
After three years of administrative paralysis and no elected representation, the residents of Sus-Baner corridor have finally drawn a line in the sand. Representing over 30 housing societies, the Sus-Baner Vikas Manch has issued a blistering 19 point “civic charter” to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) ahead of january 15 th poll. From a chronic thrust of a filling water supply to the dangerous lack of surveillance and public transit, the residents’ message to candidates is clear: fix the basis or lose the vote.
The Sus-Baner charter demands a return to basics of a functional waste management system and the development of an “Oxygen Park” to shield the locality from rising urban heat and pollution.
According to the President of Sus-Baner road Vikas Manch, Vinay Deshpande and forum secretary Haresh Patail verdict, said, a detailed discussion was held with the members of various housing societies, people who came out with the suggestions, and a 19-point charter of demands was approved.
The civic body elections were last held in 2017 and the city has been without a standing committee for the past three years hence the expectation of the citizens is high and they are now looking at the upcoming election as a critical opportunity.
The residents want to ensure that they get the basics fixed first rather than more new developments to be considered. The residents are demanding a total revamp of the flyover’s service roads, including the enforcement of strict “one-way” traffic rules and the widening of footpaths. To address the area’s “blind spots,” the Manch has demanded safety barricades, speed arrestors, and rumble strips to prevent the corridor from becoming a death trap for commuters. They also mentioned the pipe line gas by MNGL, needs to be extended to Baner Annex along Sus Road.