Pune: Citizens getting intimidating calls for complaining against violators on the PMC helpline, and lack of parking at the new passport office on Baner-Pashan Link Road were some of the issues discussed at the mohalla committee meeting held at the Aundh-Baner ward office on Monday.Residents expressed frustration, claiming that critical issues, including garbage, water shortages, and fatal safety lapses, are raised monthly without any permanent resolution. One of the most serious allegations involved the PMC helpline. Citizens claimed they have received intimidating calls from violators shortly after reporting them.“Citizens have demanded that PMC officials ensure contact numbers are not leaked to violators,” said Pashan resident Pushkar Kulkarni. “If this continues, we will file civil cases against the PMC commissioner, the ward officer, and the concerned department heads.”Residents also flagged a major oversight at the newly opened Passport Seva Kendra on Baner–Pashan Link Road. Despite the facility serving families and the elderly, visitors are reportedly barred from parking inside the premises.“Vehicles of staff members spill onto congested roads, and watchmen direct visitors to park on the carriageway,” Kulkarni said. “This lack of planning is unacceptable. We need a joint meeting with property owner, traffic authorities, and passport officials to reassess whether the parking provided matches the requirements approved during the planning stage.”Moreshwar Balwadkar highlighted a tragic safety lapse near the Mula River adjoining Bhimnagar, where a five-year-old boy recently drowned. “We have been asking for barricades or iron mesh near residential areas and roads since last month, but the PMC has done nothing,” Balwadkar said. He also demanded localised monthly grievance meetings to ensure greater accountability regarding the area’s persistent water shortages.Meghana Bhandari, a resident of Balewadi said, “By now, cleaning of storm water drains should have started but nothing has happened so far. The ward officer assured us that the tender is already out and the work will start within two days. Many people have complained about non-functioning toilets in all the slum pockets in Baner-Balewadi-Aundh area. The toilet buildings are dilapidated, drains choked, doors broken, and there is no electricity in these community toilets. These should be repaired and maintained regularly. I complained about the 13 trees which were uprooted from Baner Road and transplanted near Kaspate Vasti Bridge. All of them are in poor condition. The officer assured us that unless this work is done well, new work will not be assigned to the road department,” saidShe said that after her complaints, the ward officer promised a meeting between Baner citizens and hoarding companies over alleged illegal cutting of trees to make the hoardings visible. Assistant municipal commissioner Vijay Naykal denied claims of total inactivity, asserting that 60% of the concerns raised in the previous meeting had been resolved.“The remaining issues are either long-term projects or currently in progress,” Naykal said. Addressing privacy concerns, he added, “The PMC helpline process is anonymous. I have not received a single specific complaint with proof of harassment. If a leak is proven, we will suspend the responsible officer immediately.”Naykal also confirmed that pre-monsoon work would be completed before the rain and that the administration is considering hiring permanent caretakers for slum toilets. Regarding a requested toilet near the traffic police station, he noted that while two spots have been identified, local reluctance to give up land remains a hurdle.
