E-Paper
Rubble, garbage dumping still a concern: Sandeep Kadam, assistant commissioner of Aundh Ward No. 8 and 9
We are also creating awareness among residents that it is important to segregate waste to keep the area clean
PUNE Sandeep Kadam is the assistant commissioner of Aundh ward No. 8 and 9 from the past 3 years and has been looking after the development in the area. He speaks about the various issues faced by the ward.
What are the issues faced by the ward?
The basic infrastructure like roads, drainage systems, electricity and others are already in place at Aundh when I joined as the assistant commissioner here, so we just had to give some finishing touches to the infrastructure after which this ward was selected for Smart City project. Meanwhile, there are some issues which need to be addressed including rubble dumping along the river bed, garbage dumping in open plots around Bopodi, DP (development) road and highway. The sewage chambers are also old and are broken in places whereupon wastewater is flowing into the river, for that we are working on it with segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP).
How is the ward tackling the garbage dumping problem?
We have health inspectors who go on daily rounds to check the garbage dumping problem. We are also creating awareness among residents that it is important to segregate waste to keep the area clean, but we have not been able to get hold of culprits who dump garbage during the night. Also, we had an acute water shortage in Baner and Balewadi, but that has been rectified. After the construction of water tanks for 24/7 water project in Panchavati is completed, it will take care of all the water-related issues of the entire area.
What initiative has the ward office undertaken for residents?
The residents in Aundh follow the segregation process, but in slum areas like Ambedkar vasahat, Padalvasti in Bopodi, there still needs to be more awareness. We also have a sorting shed in place, a composting plant and biogas. Soon, a new 300 tonnes waste composter plant will start on Sus Pashan road. We have also tied up with Jeevit Nadi, non-governmental organisation for rejuvenation of the Mula river.
Which works are still pending in the area?
Currently, the concretisation of the ITI road and Parihar Chowk to Ambedkar chowk is in progress under the Smart City initiative. Besides these roads, road work is in Balewadi is also underway.
