Kondhwa housing society residents seek no-parking zone over nightly drinking, rowdiness outside gate

Residents of Mahavir Delight Co-operative Housing Society in Ashraf Nagar, Kondhwa Budruk, say they are fed up with constant harassment. They allege that drivers of commercial vehicles and their groups who gather outside the society are responsible. According to residents, tempos and cabs parked along the compound wall and near the entrance have become places for drinking, smoking, shouting and abusive language late into the night. They also complain that garbage and empty liquor bottles are thrown into the society premises. Residents are angry that repeated complaints have not led to firm police action.

Mahavir Delight is located in Survey No. 5, Ashraf Nagar, behind the DIT College. The problem is said to have continued for the past few months. Residents allege that after police acted against illegal parking outside other societies in the area, the vehicles moved to the strip along Mahavir Delight's compound wall. Tempos and Ola and Uber cabs are parked there haphazardly day and night. Residents say the vehicles are not used only for parking. They say intoxicated youths gather in and around the vehicles at night, drink until midnight or 1 am, shout and abuse people. Empty liquor bottles and non-vegetarian food waste are then dumped in the society premises, they allege.

Residents also said firecrackers are lit in the tempos and thrown into the society compound. They say these incidents raise serious concern for the safety of those living in the building.

Women, children and senior citizens feel unsafe as a result. Residents say that going out after evening or using the society gate has become a worry. Vehicles parked near the main entrance also obstruct movement in and out of the society. They fear that in an emergency it would be difficult for an ambulance or a fire engine to enter or leave. Residents said that some days ago, society office-bearers caught a minor behaving suspiciously and sniffing something. It was stopped in time, they said, but it has heightened parents' worries. They allege that the problem is growing by the day and that the administration is not taking it seriously.

Society president Samyak Lalwani and residents wrote on October 8 to the Police Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) and Kondhwa police seeking intervention. Residents say they have phoned the emergency helpline 112 many times to call the police. They allege, however, that the troublemakers leave before the police arrive and return once the police have gone. Their demands are that the area be declared a no-parking zone, regular police patrolling be started, and strict legal action be taken against those disturbing public peace. They say the authorities have taken no firm action despite repeated follow-up. Residents also approached the municipal corporation, but claim they got no useful help at the local level.

Society office-bearers Mahesh Mali and Dinesh Mali warned that residents may take to the streets if the administration does not act against the alleged illegal parking and nuisance. They said the alleged indifference of the police and administration has emboldened those responsible. Residents have appealed to senior police officers to take immediate notice and restore order in the area.

Society president Samyak Lalwani said residents had asked for a no-parking zone outside the society, but no firm action was taken despite repeated follow-up. He also said the society contacted the municipal corporation but received no useful help.