The other day on my way to work, I was admiring the newly done up roads and sidewalks with small plants all along keeping the spirit of “green” Pune alive. The freshly painted walls with the Commonwealth Youth Games mascot Jigrr, in the brightest of colours gave a completely vibrant look and feel to the city.
Alas, this feeling was quite short lived since it was the same day that I had spent almost 5 hours commuting back and forth to work.
What’s the point in a beautiful road if it is too narrow to sustain the increasing number of vehicles? Would the people appreciate any of the work done by the authorities if they get stuck in mindless traffic jams on a daily basis and lose quality time which they could have otherwise spend with their loved ones?
Some of the main roads of Pune have been done up well but walk a little deeper in the other bylanes and the truth falls out in the open potholes. Narrow broken tar roads with no sidewalks, no road lamps, hawker stalls, etc. Add to it, the garbage that is littered at regular intervals and the city infrastructure cuts a very sorry picture – with or without an international event to gear up to.
This was one of the best infrastructural face lifts that Pune could have got in recent times, but unfortunately it was completely superficial and may just be temporary. The authorities and experts do know their roles in city planning and development – if only they could plan it in advance and at par with the booming growth and expansion of the city, their reactive attempts would only be futile.
But one nagging question that still isn’t answered – Budd Whyy do we as citizens of this city live with such shoddy infrastructure and amenities without batting an eyelid? Budd Whyy do we proud tax payers tell ourselves time and again that nothing’s going to change and that we have to bear with the current state of affairs only?
Budd Whyy can’t we demand as our right that we get the best in class for the city that we love and live in?
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