Undri was merged with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in October 2017. Residents claim that while the PMC has collected significant revenue, it has failed to invest in Undri's infrastructure, diverting funds to elite areas instead and neglecting basic civic amenities.
According to an RTI filing, the total property tax collected over the last four-plus years amounts to ₹287.73 crore, while pending property tax collection (as of October 2024) stands at ₹229 crore. On the other hand, spending by PMC for this area's development is negligible.
Sunil Koloti, a resident, stated, "Lok Sabha elections have come and gone, Vidhan Sabha elections are done and dusted—yet our elected representatives from Purandar have not even bothered to visit Undri & Mohammadwadi to witness the hardships faced by tax-paying residents. Despite collecting ₹287.73 crore in property tax, PMC has failed to provide even basic infrastructure: no roads, no sewage, no water supply, no streetlights. The majority of the residents here are from the Armed Forces, people who have dedicated their lives to serving the country, yet they are forced to live in neglected conditions. Since merging with PMC in 2017, not even a Development Plan has been created by the Urban Development Department. Kad Nagar Junction remains a death trap, Palace Orchard Slope has claimed lives, and repeated appeals for safety and civic improvements have been ignored. How long will this exploitation continue? Stop diverting funds, stop ignoring us—Undri & Mohammadwadi demand immediate action NOW!"
Durga Krishnamurthy, a resident of Nyati Ethos, said, "The sad saga of life in Undri continues. Thanks to the builder-administration-political nexus. A suburb included in PMC solely for collecting property tax comes with no responsibility for providing water, proper roads or sewage/drainage lines. This suburb has become a money-making machine for the tanker mafia, who laugh all the way to the bank. If PMC is unable to provide us with these basic necessities, they should admit it. Give us back our money, and we, the public, will manage our suburbs—better than they can."
Rear Admiral V Balachandran (Retd) remarked, "Pune is neither a Smart City nor a Clean City. Civic apathy, despite citizens’ outrage over the abysmal state of affairs, highlights the 'couldn’t care less' attitude of the PMC Commissioner. Battered roads, lack of water supply and garbage dumps leading to unhygienic conditions are the woes the public endures. There seems to be no respite for Punekars. I request the Chief Minister to instruct the PMC Commissioner to implement a time-bound programme to make Pune the smartest and cleanest city in India, competing with Indore. Periodical visits by the CM and Deputy CMs will certainly accelerate the process. As the Japanese say, 'Genshi Genbutsu'—go to the place of work and see for yourself."
Undri has been grappling with severe infrastructural issues due to the lack of a structured development plan by the PMC. The area faces a persistent water crisis, with irregular supply and reliance on expensive tanker water. The absence of a proper sewerage system leads to unhygienic conditions, as many residential societies are forced to manage their own waste disposal. Road maintenance is abysmal, with pothole-ridden, uneven roads making commuting a nightmare, especially during monsoons. Poor street lighting further exacerbates safety concerns, while the region’s steep, unplanned slopes make accessibility difficult. Moreover, unchecked and haphazard construction continues without foresight, leading to congestion and a lack of basic amenities. Despite rapid urbanisation, Undri remains neglected, highlighting the urgent need for PMC intervention to address these core issues.
"PMC, where are the ₹480 crore of taxes paid to your coffers? Please wake up, have some shame. Our patience is wearing thin; don't stretch it any further," said Cdr Pankaj Bhatnagar (Retd).
