By Ashish Wagh 
(Mr Wagh is a freelance writer)

Pune, July 27, 2024 : The Oxford of the East, Pune, faced the wrath of a rain fury after the Panshet flood which wreaked disaster on July 12, 1961.
Three people electrocuted in one of the most prime areas called Deccan Gymkhana. Two more lost their lives in the periphery of Pune due to similar reason. At least eight cattle died due to electrocution in the verdant Maval yesterday.
Ravindra Lokegaonkar, who, along with his family, moved to Pulachi Wadi in Deccan Gymkhana area near the Mula riverfront, was in for trouble. While he was at work at a construction site near Navle bridge, he received a call from one of his neighbours saying their shanties are being washed away by the swollen river. By the time he could manage to reach nearby Deccan, his hut was swallowed by the river bed. “We are out of our shelter and on the streets. Nobody is willing to help. Political people visited but they just gave us only lip service.
Similar reactions were echoed by Maruti Baghel, Nivrutti Panchal, Krishna Yadav and Gangadhar Bhamre, all of whom are daily wages labour. 
Drawing a corollary, it is commonly said that Mumbai drowns if one throws 2-3 buckets of water. Not incorrect. Mumbai is a victim of mass migration and, is and always will, face man made calamities. 
But why Pune? Though the place can’t be compared to Mumbai, what is plaguing it in terms of infrastructure. It is common knowledge that most people from the hinterland of Maharashtra choose Pune to be their launch pad because they fear the angst of living the Mumbai life despite the availability of work opportunities.
The moot point is, despite having two rich local self government bodies, the PMC and PCMC seem to be doing little to provide solace to the Punekars. 
“There is no system to check the load on public infrastructure in Pune and PCMC. If you visit Pune railway station, you can get to know the volume of loads of people coming into the city for employment opportunities. This burdens the system and upgrading it is in the hands of law makers (politicians) who are very selective in addressing the issues of the populace,” said a retired commissioner of PMC. 
Nishad Rehman, who runs a gifts shop near Pimpri village in PCMC was emphatic about the need for a change in guard. “PCMC is the largest tax grosser in Maharashtra yet deprived of several basic amenities including water and power. The disaster management system too is very weak and can’t put up with exigencies because of the large area they have to serve.”
He added, “Pune is a satellite city for Mumbai. Many Mumbaikars have invested here in real estate and other businesses. However, they don’t call this city their home, second home may be. Just by collecting taxes and being flashy on flex banners doesn’t make the two municipal corporations big. They must ensure that Pune doesn’t become Mumbai – Part 2.”