The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is facing an uphill task in dealing with its iconic ‘wadas’, which are mostly in a rickety state, and in sharp contrast with the city’s rapidly changing cityscape. Most of the city’s wadas, traditional dwellings, that echo Old Pune, are in a perilous condition, and are an obstruction in the city’s attempt to transform itself into a ‘smart’ city.
Once a visual shorthand for the Puneri culture, these fast-crumbling structures now pose a threat to the lives of their occupants.
For the PMC authorities, the perils are more immediate; each year, the looming monsoon poses a threat to the structures.
The occupants oppose any drive to oust them despite threat to their personal safety.
“These structures are in a dangerous condition. So far, we have served notices to 120 of them asking occupants to evacuate so that we can demolish the structures,” said Bipin Shinde, Deputy Engineer, PMC.
Most of the 800-odd symbols of past grandeur — some dating back to the 18th century — are crowded in the bustling bylanes of Old Pune, in areas like Kasba Peth, Tilak Road, Vishrambaug, Nana Peth, Narayan Peth and Budhwar Peth.
NostalgiaNostalgia is the major reason occupants refuse to cooperate with the civic authorities.
Most of the wadas were built to house the commoners who served the Peshwas, and came into existence following the construction of the legendary Shaniwar Wada fort in 1746.
The PMC has begun issuing notices in newspapers urging occupants to vacate the dilapidated structures, stating that the civic body will not be responsible if the citizens do not heed the notices.
