Pune: Rajendra Kamble’s (50) newly built house was gutted in the massive blaze that broke out on Wednesday in Patil Estate area in Wakdewadi. Nitin Bharat Chavan (39) lost vital documents such as Aadhaar card and a bank pass book.
These and many such stories emerged a day after the devastating fire. According to civic officials, around 300 houses were burnt. Around 1,200 people have been affected, who have been shifted to nearby municipal schools. Many of them are volunteers belonging to the ragpickers’ co-operative society, SWACH, Pune.
Kamble lives with his mother, wife and two sons. His family had planned to conduct the house warming ceremony. However, their dream of living in their new house was shattered on the eve of the ceremony.
Recalling the difficulties he faced while mobilising funds to build his home, Kamble said, “Earlier, we lived in a single-room house. My children are grown up now. Hence, we felt a need of a bigger home.” He said, “I took a Rs 2 lakh loan from a bank, which was not sufficient and I had to mortgage my wife’s jewellery.”
Another affected resident Nitin Bharat Chavan (39) said, “I lost all my documents like ration card, Aadhaar card and bank pass book. Now, I don’t know how long I will have to struggle to get new ones.” He said, “Though services provided in municipal schools are satisfactory, the PMC should bring normalcy in the area as early as possible.”
Sakal Times reporters visited the Dr Babashaeb Ambedkar English Medium School, Shivajinagar, where 50 families have been temporarily shifted.
Mangesh Chaure (32), a SWACH employee, said, “The civic body provides food while some NGOs are helping with medicines and clothes.”
SWACH activist Laxmi Narayan said, “The ragpickers who have suffered losses will get monetary support from voluntary donors.”
Though primary steps have been taken by the PMC, the affected slum dwellers need proper compensation and resettlement in the long run.
