BJP's Salegaonkar threatens to sit on floor if Fergusson Road encroachments not cleared before house meet

The issue of growing encroachments on Pune's Fergusson Road has flared up again. Ravindra Salegaonkar, BJP's Pune city general secretary and a corporator, has accused the administration of taking action only for show. According to him, no concrete steps are being taken to remove the encroachments permanently.

Salegaonkar said the problem has been pending for many days. He has spoken repeatedly to Pune Municipal Corporation officials about it, but the situation has not changed as it should have. The administration does act, he said, but within a few days the encroachments grow back. He expressed displeasure that the MLA and all the corporators are pressing the issue, yet the administration is not taking firm steps.

In this connection, he also questioned the way the municipal corporation works. He asked how encroachments come up again despite repeated action. He said this raises the suspicion that some payoffs may be going on, from the lower levels up to senior officers. He made it clear that the administration should take the matter seriously and that a permanent arrangement is necessary.

In a video, issuing a direct warning to officials, Salegaonkar said that if Fergusson Road is not made free of encroachments by the upcoming general body meeting, he will sit on the floor on the very first day of the meeting. He also said he would raise the question in the house and would not step back until it is heard.

Because of the encroachments, walking has become difficult for pedestrians on Fergusson Road. Students, shopkeepers and traders are also bearing the brunt. There is therefore a demand that the municipal administration drop token action and run a drive to remove the encroachments permanently.

People in Pune are now watching what turn the issue takes at the coming general body meeting and what stand the administration adopts.