Enough is Enough: Undri and Mohamadwadi Residents Stage Silent Protest After 25 Years of Civic Neglect

Over 200 residents of Undri and Mohamadwadi held a silent protest against 25 years of civic neglect by PMC, demanding urgent action on basic infrastructure. Their unified outcry called for water, roads, drainage, public amenities, and safety—rights long denied to these growing neighbourhoods.

Dilip Shekhawat

Pune, April 14, 2025 – After decades of delayed promises and civic inaction, more than 200 residents of Undri and Mohamadwadi came together on Saturday evening for a silent but powerful protest. Organised by the Mohamadwadi Undri Residents Welfare Development Foundation (MURWDF), the demonstration was a demand for dignity, safety, and long-awaited attention from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

25 Years Under PMC, Yet Basic Infrastructure Remains a Distant Dream
Despite Mohamadwadi being incorporated into PMC limits in 1995 and Undri in 2017, the two localities continue to suffer from chronic infrastructure issues. Residents face persistent water supply problems, crumbling and unsafe roads, absence of a proper drainage system, and lack of waste management. Public amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and community halls are non-existent. With poor street lighting and rising traffic chaos, accidents have become an alarming concern.

Adding to the frustration is the burden of escalating property taxes, which residents say are unjustified given the lack of civic services and development. For many, the situation has moved beyond inconvenience to a matter of life and safety.

A Community United for Change
Years of appeals to local authorities, PMC officials, MLAs, and MPs have brought no meaningful results. The protest on April 13 was not merely a demonstration—it was a unified message from residents that they refuse to be ignored any longer. With growing safety concerns and unplanned urban growth taking a toll, they now stand prepared to pursue legal recourse if necessary.

Demands That Can No Longer Be Ignored
The residents are urgently calling for a comprehensive Development Plan for Undri, along with consistent access to potable drinking water. They demand well-constructed and safe roads with encroachment-free footpaths, an efficient stormwater drainage system, and increased police patrolling for community safety. Public infrastructure such as gardens, playgrounds, community halls, and reliable public transport services are long overdue. Furthermore, they seek immediate removal of encroachments like high-tension poles and unauthorized shops at major junctions. Cleanliness and proper waste management must be implemented without delay, alongside eco-friendly initiatives to make the neighbourhood clean and green. Ample functional street lighting and a state-of-the-art fire station are also among the core demands, all of which are fundamental to dignified and secure urban living.