Over 1,000 Kalyani Nagar Residents Protest Alleged Commercial Misuse in Residential Area  

Residents raise concerns over safety, traffic congestion and zoning violations; seek urgent intervention from authorities

Pune: In a significant show of collective civic action, more than 1,000 residents of Kalyani Nagar have submitted a joint representation to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and other authorities, raising concerns over the alleged proliferation of commercial establishments in designated residential areas.

The representations, dated March 10, have been addressed to PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Chief Fire Officer Devendra S. Potphode, and officials from the Central Building Department. Copies have also been marked to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Residents from Roads 9A and Lanes 6 to 11 have expressed concern over what they describe as the increasing conversion of residential premises into restaurants, cafés, bakeries, eateries, cloud kitchens, and even pre-school facilities.

According to the residents, these developments have led to multiple civic issues, including traffic congestion, parking shortages, and concerns over fire safety in narrow internal roads.

Captain Robin Azavedo, representing residents of Road No. 9A, has questioned the approval process for certain establishments. He pointed to a café reportedly being set up in a row house on a narrow lane, stating that such developments could exacerbate congestion and pose safety risks.

Residents have also raised concerns about alleged alterations to building layouts, including the use of open spaces and parking areas for commercial activities. Additionally, issues related to water usage and infrastructure strain have been highlighted.

“No-objection certificates from neighbouring residents have not been sought in several cases,” some residents have claimed in their representation.

Advocate Amit Bhowmik, a senior resident of the area, has suggested stricter scrutiny of property transactions and leasing practices, particularly where residential premises are being used for commercial purposes.

Members of the Kalyani Nagar Residents Association, including Sheila Christian, have urged authorities to take prompt action to ensure compliance with zoning norms and safety regulations.

The residents have appealed for immediate inspection of such establishments and enforcement of applicable municipal, fire safety, and zoning rules.

As of now, there has been no official response from the PMC or other authorities regarding the representations submitted.