Pune: The Khadakwalsa constituency consists of a semi-urban area. Some parts fall within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits while some are in the rural part of Pune district.
The urban areas have been developed but the rural parts still do not have basic civic amenities. Citizens had mixed reactions about incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Bhimrao Tapkir’s development work in the constituency.
The Khadakwasla dam within the assembly segment is the main source of water for Pune. It consists of Narhe, Nanded, Kirkatwadi, Khadakwasla villages and Kothrud, Warje, Bavdhan, Shivne, Uttamnagar and Kondwa-Dhavde within the Pune Municipal Corporation areas.
Residents of Uttam Nagar were upset with Tapkir’s work. They said, “Last year in April, Tapkir announced the construction of a road from Shinde Bridge to the NDA gate. After one-and-a-half years, we still don’t have a good road. Following the downpour of September 25, the road developed big potholes.”
Ashok Chandan, a resident of Uttam Nagar, said, “Tapkir put posters that Rs 10 crore has been given by PWD for the construction of the road. However, the road is still to be completed.”
“There are no stormwater drains along the road. The construction quality of the road is also very poor. There are cracks on the road between Ahire Gate and Shine bridge. City Mayor Mukta Tilak and Girish Bapat visited our area before the Lok Sabha elections. They had promised that the civic body will supply drinking water. During rains, we receive irregular water. There is no garden also for senior citizens and children. There are no public toilets,” said Vaibhav Adhav from Shivane area.
Reacting to this, Tapkir said, “I admit that there has been no development work in some areas of my constituency. However, I carried out a lot of development work at the cost of Rs 50 crore in some areas. Development of roads, collection of garbage and drinking water are the problems faced by residents of the area. I have allotted funds to construct roads. The work has already started. My constituency is divided into two parts - developed PMC areas and rural parts, which consists of small villages. Drinking water, road and electricity are a priority for the rural parts, whereas garbage collection, internal roads and bridges are needed.”
MLA Profile
■ Current MLA: Bhimrao Tapkir (BJP)
■ Tenure: 8 years
Development work
■ Sinhagad fort road development: Rs 202 crore
■ Gram Sadak project work: Rs 25 crore
■ Wadgaon Budruk-Katraj six-lane road: Rs 97 crore
Works pending
■ PMC BDP implementation
■ PMRDA Ring road and Metro
■ Shivane-Kharadi road
■ Warje Malwadi, Sinhagad road traffic problem
