Pune: In celebration of World Environment Day, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) organised a special citizen engagement initiative titled ‘Walk with Commissioner’ at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Garden in Purnanagar. The event was led by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, who interacted directly with citizens to discuss environmental concerns, urban challenges, and sustainable living practices.
The event kicked off with a tree plantation drive, setting an eco-friendly tone for the morning. Following this, Commissioner Singh led a walk through the garden, attentively listening to suggestions and concerns from the public. Among the issues raised were the need for online ticketing for garden access, improved weekend parking, and enhanced amenities tailored to senior citizens and women. In response, Singh assured residents that actionable steps would be taken promptly, underlining PCMC’s dedication to responsive governance.
Speaking during the event, Singh remarked, “Pimpri Chinchwad is growing rapidly, and so is the number of vehicles—currently around 95 per 100 residents. This has a direct impact on our air quality. To combat this, PCMC has rolled out the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a structured mechanism to monitor and improve air conditions.” He stressed that public participation would be crucial in implementing GRAP successfully.
Singh also encouraged the adoption of eco-friendly transportation, such as public buses and the metro system, as vital steps towards reducing vehicular emissions. He stated that the civic body will continue rolling out GRAP-related activities until a substantial improvement is seen in the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI).
Children were also engaged meaningfully during the event. Notably, a nine-year-old participant, Avneesh Bhimrao Tanga, appealed for a space to practise archery near the garden. Commissioner Singh took personal interest in the child’s request, commending his passion and directing officials to assess the possibility of creating such a facility.
Other suggestions included converting the garden’s food stall into a recreational centre for senior citizens and a yoga area for women—proposals that Singh promised to consider seriously.
Key PCMC officials, including Additional Commissioner Pradip Jambhale Patil, Chief Engineer Sanjay Kulkarni, Deputy Commissioner Anna Bodade, Assistant Commissioner Umesh Dhakane, Executive Engineer Harvindsingh Bansal, and Garden Superintendent Rajesh Vasave, were present. Former Corporator Yogita Nagargoje and local residents such as Shailesh More, Sunil Kadam, Vijay Ghodke, and Shrikrishna Kashid, along with representatives of civic groups and NGOs, also took part in the initiative.
Citizens expressed their appreciation for the event, lauding the opportunity to interact directly with the civic chief. “It felt like speaking with a family member,” said one participant. Others noted that the session provided greater insight into PCMC’s environmental goals and inclusive development strategies.
Commissioner Singh also highlighted the ‘PCMC @ 50’ vision campaign, an initiative aimed at shaping the future of Pimpri Chinchwad as it nears its golden jubilee in 2032. A wide-reaching public survey is underway, conducted by trained members of self-help groups (SHGs), to collect ideas and aspirations from residents. Citizens can also contribute through the official PCMC website. Singh encouraged everyone to take part in this planning exercise to help design a more sustainable and inclusive city.
The event began with a welcome address from Deputy Commissioner Anna Bodade, and former Corporator Yogita Nagargoje concluded the session with a formal vote of thanks.
