E-Paper
Sus-Mhalunge residents’ plight: 5-yr battle for proper road continues
Construction work stopped as farmers demand compensation for their land on which the road is being built
Construction of the 24-metre Vibgyor school main road in Sus-Mhalunge has come to a halt, aggravating the woes of residents. It has been at least five years since 5,000 residents of seven housing societies of Sus-Mhalunge have been denied basic amenities like a road.
The construction work, which had started in March this year, was stopped as farmers have demanded compensation for their land on which the road is being built.
During the monsoon season, it becomes difficult for us to commute, say residents. The seven societies, include Jardin by Sanskruti, three societies of Yashwin, Sanjeevani Sangam, My Nest and Sai Shrushti.
After constant requests, letters and visits to the local corporator, Supriya Sule, member of Parliament (MP) and Vikram Kumar, commissioner, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the residents were given a ray of hope when construction work for the road began in March 2019. But on April 23, the work had come to a halt as farmers are demanding compensation for the land on which the road is being built.
Narsingh Gomare, a resident of Yashwin society, said, “I had booked a flat in 2013. The builder had shared a photograph with me of the groundbreaking ceremony of the said road and promised that the work will be completed in a year’s time. We are running from post to pillar to get the work done, but to no avail.”
Avinash Sharma, a resident of Saarthi society, said, “After waiting for five years, we hoped that this year the road work will be complete, but after looking at the condition of the road now, I am worried that the residents might not be able to commute.”
The residents have written letters about the civic issue not just to the Sus gram panchayat, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), but also to Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister of Maharashtra and the prime minister’s office.
Sumedh Kulkarni, a resident of My Nest Society, raised concerns of skidding and falling on the road, especially of senior citizens and children. “Many children from the societies in this area are students of Vibgyor school. How will the children commute to school when it reopens?” he questioned
Meanwhile, speaking about the issue, chief of PMRDA, Kumar, said, “I will look into the complaint and address it as soon as possible.” PMRDA has undertaken work of the construction of the road, which has now come to a halt.