Pawar Factions Unite for Pune Civic Poll
NCP Alliance Promises Traffic Relief, Healthcare Push and Free Public Transport
- Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar factions release joint PMC manifesto
- Pledge free bus and metro travel to tackle traffic congestion
- Promise hospitals within 2 km radius and green housing incentives
- First joint appearance of Ajit Pawar and Supriya Sule since 2023 split
GG News Bureau
Pune, 10th Jan: The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party faction and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP on Saturday unveiled a joint manifesto for the Pune Municipal Corporation elections, presenting a united development agenda focused on traffic decongestion, healthcare expansion, water supply and affordable public transport.
Despite political differences at the state and national levels, the two rival factions have joined hands for the PMC polls, marking their first formal alliance since the party split in 2023.
A major highlight of the manifesto is a comprehensive traffic decongestion plan, which includes fixing 33 missing road links across the city, widening key arterial roads and improving traffic flow. The alliance has also proposed free travel on city buses and the metro, drawing inspiration from European public transport models. With Pune housing nearly 30 lakh vehicles, party leaders said traffic congestion is causing an estimated annual loss of ₹750 crore in fuel wastage and productive time, while also worsening pollution.
On healthcare, the alliance promised to build hospitals within a two-kilometre radius to ensure easy access to basic medical services. Plans for a dedicated cancer hospital and a specialised burns ward were also announced.
To promote sustainability, housing societies adopting eco-friendly practices will be eligible for a 20 per cent rebate on property tax and a ‘Green Society’ certification. The manifesto also commits to encouraging rooftop solar power installations to cut electricity bills and support clean energy.
Addressing Pune’s water crisis, the parties acknowledged that even central localities rely on tanker water. The manifesto pledges to strengthen water supply systems, upgrade sewage treatment infrastructure and improve last-mile connectivity to the metro network.
The alliance also promised to make the Gunthewari regularisation process fully online and to simplify municipal approvals to reduce delays and curb corruption. Interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh will be provided to skill-trained women to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.
Addressing the gathering, Ajit Pawar said voters would see “results, not just promises” if the NCP alliance gains control of the PMC, noting that the administration would have a stable three-and-a-half-year term to implement reforms. Supriya Sule said the alliance had a track record of delivering civic infrastructure even while in opposition and pledged to resolve Pune’s long-standing traffic, water and public transport challenges.
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has announced polls for 29 municipal corporations across the state, including the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Pune Municipal Corporation and Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. Voting will be held on January 15, with counting scheduled for January 16.
