After MiD DAY highlighted the plight of upmarket Aditya Garden Society and nearby housing complexes in Warje owing to a slippery approach road, councillor Sachin Dodke from NCP and MNS's Bhagyashree Dangat are both trying to score brownie points over the repairs that have taken place
While residents of Aditya Garden Society and adjoining housing complexes are pleased that they can tread in the neighbourhood with more confidence, two Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) councillors have locked horns to decide who gets the glory for mending a slippery approach road in the area. MiD DAY had highlighted the issue on September 23 (‘Hard to believe a corporator lives here: This road leads to society that pays PMC Rs 1.5 cr’), following which work began on the greasy patch.
A two-way street! Bhagyashree Dangat and Sachin Dodke, corporators from ward no 30A and 30B, have put up billboards alongside the road, claiming credit for the repair work. u00a0Pic/Sachin Thakare
ADVERTISEMENT
NCP corporator Sachin Dodke himself is a resident of Aditya Garden Society, which comes under ward 30. After realising the unrest among citizens because of this long- pending work, he put up a big hoarding at the entrance of the society, claiming, “I am aware of the problems you are facing due to the muddy road. This is a technical issue. I’m doing my best and assure you that I’ll complete the work soon.”
MiD DAY report on September 23
However, MNS corporator from the same ward, Bhagyashree Dangat, claimed that she had taken the initiative for this work and Dodke was trying to hog the limelight.u00a0When MiD DAY called Dangat, her husband Kailas said, “We are completely opposed to playing politics on development work, but we just want to make it clear that the ongoing repairs are happening through the common budget of both corporators, and Dodke is not doing anyone any favours. We are keeping track of the matter with PMC. The most important thing is Dodke is using taxpayers’ money for the work. He shouldn’t be claiming credit for doing his job.”u00a0
On the other hand, Dodke maintained that voters were aware who was doing the work, and did not need to prove anything. “Over the last three months, I have been striving to fix the issue, and citizens are aware of my efforts. That’s why I don’t have to prove my credentials. But I think others (corporator) should follow ethics before putting a spin on matters,” he said.u00a0When asked about the progress of the drainage work, Dodke said, “The drainage work is over and soon resurfacing will start. A total expenditure of Rs 50 lakh is expected for the work.”
Loss of faith
Meanwhile, residents of Aditya Garden Society are not bothered about this war. “The issue was unresolved for one year. So it hardly matters which corporator is now doing the job, as we have lost faith in both,” said a resident on condition of anonymity.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
