Pune Civic Issues 2026: Top 10 Problems Voters Want Fixed for PMC Elections
As Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections approach in January 2026, voters across the city’s 41 wards are voicing frustration over persistent civic challenges. After nearly nine years without elected representatives, residents demand accountability for the ₹12,618-crore budget. Key concerns include infrastructure deficits, especially in newly merged villages like Wagholi and Hadapsar. This article outlines the top 10 problems voters prioritize, based on resident feedback and activist calls for action.
1. Traffic Congestion and Poor Road Conditions
Commuters in areas like Hadapsar and Pashan-Baner face daily gridlock due to inadequate road widening and maintenance. Broken roads exacerbate delays, with voters urging candidates to prioritize traffic management and smoother commutes. Large wards spanning old and new limits amplify these issues, making navigation a nightmare during peak hours.
2. Broken and Unsafe Footpaths
Pedestrians report hazardous footpaths riddled with potholes and encroachments. Residents from central Pune highlight how damaged walkways force people onto busy roads, increasing accident risks. Fixing footpaths tops demands for safer public spaces.
3. Irregular Water Supply
Many households experience unreliable water delivery, particularly in peripheral zones. Voters in Wagholi complain of shortages forcing reliance on tankers, a problem worsened by rapid urbanization. Consistent supply remains a core election promise sought by families.
4. Inadequate Drainage and Monsoon Flooding
Poor drainage systems lead to annual flooding and sewage overflows during rains. Areas like Undri and Lohegaon suffer routine waterlogging, damaging homes and disrupting lives. Voters expect elected corporators to overhaul stormwater networks for dry monsoons.
5. Ineffective Waste Management
Garbage accumulation and irregular collection plague neighborhoods, drawing complaints about overflowing bins and health hazards. With Pune’s growing population, residents call for modern waste processing plants and doorstep services to clean up streets.
6. Lack of Basic Amenities in Merged Villages
Newly incorporated villages such as Sus, Mhalunge, and Lohegaon lack essentials like proper roads and sanitation. These areas, now part of PMC, see voters eager for their first elected voice to deliver long-overdue infrastructure.
7. Insufficient Streetlights and Public Safety
Dark alleys in fringe localities heighten crime fears after sunset. Demand grows for widespread LED lighting to enhance security, especially for women and children navigating unlit paths in expanding wards.
8. Neglected Green Spaces and Parks
Urban expansion has shrunk recreational areas, leaving few parks for residents. Activists push for more green belts amid rising pollution, viewing them as vital for community health in a budget-rich civic body.
9. Overburdened Wards with Rapid Population Growth
Wards like Sus-Pashan-Baner boast over 1.5 lakh voters, straining services. Politicians note the challenge of covering vast areas, with calls to split high-density zones like Wagholi for better representation and resource allocation.
10. Delayed Infrastructure in Peripheral Areas
Fringe neighborhoods endure years of neglect, missing hospitals, schools, and reliable power. Voters in these pockets demand equitable development, arguing the massive budget should bridge the old city-new periphery divide.
With 35.51 lakh voters set to elect 165 corporators on January 15, 2026, these issues dominate campaigns. Parties face tight schedules, with nominations closing soon and results due January 16. Candidates promise citizen-centric projects, but residents, led by activists, emphasize long-term fixes over short-term lures. The polls offer a chance to redirect funds toward tangible progress, from better roads to flood-proof drainage.
Pune’s electorate, including youth and women in reserved seats, seeks leaders focused on daily struggles rather than political games. As the Model Code of Conduct enforces fair play, voters hold the power to prioritize these top concerns. Elected representatives must deliver, transforming complaints into improved livability for all 41 wards.
(Word count: 712)
