Pune’s roads get a makeover as residents and companies adopt stretches of streets under the new PMC initiative – puneripages.in
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
We all know the feeling: that one pothole that your bike dives into every day, the same stretch of road lined with garbage, the faded zebra crossing that no one sees anymore. And the worst part? We complain, we post rants on WhatsApp groups, we tag the PMC on Twitter—and then we shrug and move on.
But what if this time, we didn’t just move on? What if we said, “Okay, if no one else is fixing it, maybe we can”?
That’s exactly what the Pune Municipal Corporation is trying to empower us to do with their new “Adopt a Road” initiative.
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Wait, We Can Actually Adopt a Road Now?
Yes, you read that right. The PMC has officially launched a program where private companies, schools, hospitals, residential societies, and even groups of citizens can adopt a 1 to 3 km stretch of road. No, you don’t own it. But yes, you get to improve it.
Under this initiative, you or your organization takes responsibility for the beautification and upkeep of the road. That means:
- Planting and maintaining trees or shrubs
- Keeping the sidewalks clean and usable
- Repainting curbs and dividers
- Ensuring there’s no garbage or visual mess
And the PMC supports you while you’re at it. You also get a small signboard that says, “This road maintained by [Your Name or Organization]” — which is a pretty cool, meaningful way to contribute to your city.
Why This Isn’t Just a Feel-Good Gimmick
I know what you’re thinking: “Great in theory, but will it work?” Honestly, I think it can — if we treat it like more than a one-day selfie opportunity.
- For the PMC: It’s smart. They’re stretched thin, so involving citizens and private entities brings extra hands, funds, and care into the picture.
- For Businesses: It’s meaningful CSR. Instead of just making a donation, your brand gets real-world visibility and goodwill from the very people who use that road.
- For People Like You and Me: We finally have a structured way to act on all our frustrations. No more waiting. No more helplessness.
So What Can You Do?
Here’s the best part: you don’t have to be a big company to join in. If you’re part of a housing society, bring this up in your next AGM. If you run a small business, team up with others on your lane. If you’re just someone who cares, start talking to your community. You’d be surprised how quickly ideas catch fire.
Start with:
- Picking a stretch of road that matters to you
- Checking in with the PMC (yes, you can contact your ward office)
- Drafting a simple plan: plants, bins, paint, maybe even a bench?
Even just one road adopted per ward could change how Pune looks and feels.
Final Thought: This Is Our City
We complain about our roads because we care. And now, for the first time, we have a chance to turn that care into action. No bureaucracy. No excuses.
So let’s stop saying “Someone should do something about this” and start saying, “Why not us?”
Who knows, maybe the next time someone drives down that stretch of road, they’ll smile and say, “Hey, these people actually care.”
Because we do. And now, we can show it.
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