12 January,2026 03:43 PM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis addresses a rally in Akurdi, Pimpri Chinchwad, on January 11.
As the campaign for the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections enters its final phase, political parties have intensified their outreach with a fresh round of promises. However, many voters say they are no longer persuaded by what they describe as repetitive, unrealistic, and election-centric assurances that have failed to translate into action over the years.
From long-pending infrastructure issues to a surge in "free service" announcements, voters across the cities are questioning the credibility, intent, and financial feasibility of the pledges being made in the last leg of campaigning.
One of the most contentious and long-standing concerns resurfacing during the campaign is the âRed Zone' restriction around the Dehu Road ammunition depot and the Dighi magazine depot. The 2000-yard prohibited zone has affected nearly three lakh property owners in several parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad for decades, restricting sale, redevelopment, and utilisation of permissible floor space index (FSI).
Despite repeated assurances across elections, residents say the issue remains unresolved.
Sayali Chandorkar, a resident of Sector 21 in Nigdi, expressed frustration over what she termed "recycled promises."
"At every election, we are told that the Red Zone issue will finally be resolved. Neither the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) nor the NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) alliances have delivered on this. Our properties cannot be sold, and we are unable to use new FSI norms for redevelopment. The Red Zone marking on our properties was imposed nearly four decades ago. If the BJP was in power in the PCMC (Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation) for so many years, why was the problem not solved then? Why make the same promise again now?" she asked.
The issue had also figured prominently in the 2017 municipal elections, when senior BJP leaders, including then Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar, had assured a resolution. However, the final Red Zone map has remained mired in bureaucratic delays, with residents alleging that it has been "stuck in red tape" for over a year.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, while campaigning in Akurdi for BJP candidates, once again assured citizens that the matter would be addressed - an announcement that has drawn scepticism from voters who say they have heard similar assurances during every Lok Sabha, assembly and municipal election.
Alongside unresolved civic issues, political parties have rolled out a slew of free service promises, particularly related to public transport, housing, and healthcare.
Almost every major party has announced some form of free bus or metro travel, triggering a debate on sustainability and financial planning.
BJP has promised free Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) bus travel for citizens above 75 years and free health check-ups for those above 30.
The Congress has announced free city bus travel for women and property tax waivers for homes up to 500 square feet.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have promised free bus travel for women and senior citizens, along with free medicines for select ration card holders.
NCP leader Ajit Pawar has gone a step ahead, promising free metro and PMPML travel, as well as free tablets for students.
While these promises may sound appealing, voters and civic experts are raising questions about implementation and funding.
Residents point out that the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations' annual budgets stand at around Rs 12,000 crore, nearly 50-60 per cent of which is spent on salaries and routine maintenance. With limited funds left for capital development, voters are questioning how additional free schemes will be financed without affecting essential civic services.
Samir Kale, a resident of Bavadhan, said, "Ask anyone - who will bear the cost of these free services? Will it come at the expense of road repairs, waste management, pollution control or water supply? Voters are not fools that netas can announce anything and people will believe it."
Voters also pointed out that none of the parties has clearly explained how these schemes will be funded or whether budgetary provisions have been planned, reinforcing the perception that the promises are aimed more at electoral gains than long-term governance.
Many residents argue that instead of focusing on freebies, political parties should prioritise basic civic issues that directly impact daily life - cratered roads, traffic congestion, encroachments on footpaths, rising air pollution, and mounting garbage dumps.
While campaign focus has largely remained on core city areas, residents of newly developed suburbs say they continue to be deprived of basic amenities. High-rise buildings have come up rapidly in areas such as Kiwale, Ravet and Mamurdi, but civic infrastructure has failed to keep pace.
Santosh Tiwari, a resident of Mamurdi, told mid-day.com, "Mamurdi-Kiwale has seen rapid development with high-rise housing, new residential communities and an international cricket stadium. However, basic civic amenities have not kept pace. Given its location along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, preserving a green belt is essential to reduce noise and air pollution.
"The area lacks parks for senior citizens and playgrounds for children and youth, while safe walking and jogging tracks are urgently needed. Non-functional street lights, unsafe pedestrian roads, frequent waterlogging during monsoon and a rising stray dog population raise serious safety concerns, especially for round-the-clock commuters.
"Water distribution needs urgent revision to match the growing population. The MCA Stadium should be equipped for multiple sports, with proper crowd and traffic management during major matches. Establishing a police chowky is also essential to strengthen law and order. Addressing these issues will significantly improve the quality of life and help Mamurdi-Kiwale emerge as a model urban neighbourhood."
