Pune: With the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) election approaching, residents of Vimannagar have released a citizens’ charter outlining a set of civic demands and making it clear that electoral support will depend on measurable delivery rather than campaign promises. The charter, “Our Vote, Our City, Our Conditions”, reflected long-standing grievances over civic services and enforcement, and sought written commitments with timelines from those contesting the poll, residents said. On encroachments, the charter took a hard line, calling for immediate removal of footpath encroachments and unauthorised shop extensions across Vimannagar. Residents said footpaths must be restored for pedestrians’ use and not be treated as commercial or political spaces. “Encroachments are a major law-and-order and safety concern in the area. We have sought strict action against public consumption of liquor and stronger enforcement across residential and commercial spaces,” said Anita Hanumante, a resident. Among the key demands was also assured and equitable daily water supply to all households. “We have also called for filtration plants to ensure safe drinking water and mandatory use of STP-treated water for gardens and other non-potable purposes to curb wastage of potable water,” she said. Noise pollution enforcement figured prominently in the charter, with residents seeking round-the-clock monitoring in residential areas, strict police action during night hours, and immediate installation of noise-measuring devices using funds already sanctioned to PMC and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. “We have also called for accountability of ward officials for violations, apart from flagging gaps in sanitary and biomedical waste handling. We have sought policy-driven introduction of sanitary waste incinerators, transparent biomedical waste collection systems and functional wet-waste composting plants,” Surendra Desai, another resident said. Frequent road digging for fibre optic cable work was a key concern in the charter, with residents flagging what they described as a pattern of roads being excavated and left unrestored. The document called for a binding citywide policy for laying fibre optic cables, time-bound restoration of roads and footpaths, and penal action against contractors and officials for lapses. “Roads are dug repeatedly without coordination or accountability, and residents are left to deal with broken surfaces for months,” said Sandeep Singh, chairman, Konarknagar Co-operative Housing Society, Vimannagar, adding that infrastructure work needs planning rather than “dig-and-disappear” execution. Public spaces and walkability also formed a major part of the charter, with residents demanding removal of footpath encroachments and unauthorised shop extensions, a ban on illegal flex banners and urgent repairs to damaged footpaths. The charter also sought stricter enforcement against liquor consumption in public places. “Footpaths are meant for walking, not for banners, encroachments or illegal extensions,” said Anagha Dhara. “What we see instead is selective enforcement and repeated violations with no consequences,” she said. The charter also called for uniform rules for religious celebrations, a ban on pandals on roads and denial of permissions for road or lane closures for events, citing traffic disruption and safety concerns in residential areas. Residents also flagged unchecked cab parking across Vimannagar and gaps in garbage management as daily irritants that have gone unaddressed. “Vimannagar contributes significantly to the city’s revenue. In return, residents demand governance, safety, infrastructure and dignity — not neglect,” said Hanumante. Residents said the charter will be handed over to the candidates when they are called for KYC ( know your candidate ) campaign in Vimannagar.
