Pune.. rapid urbanization

With rapid urbanization in Pune, we have now developed conjoined twins – the original village and the new townships that have come on the village land that was earlier used for farming. Some examples are – the urban “Aundh” has the “Aundh-gaon”, Baner has “Baner-Gaon”, “Pashan” has “Pashan-Gaon/Someshwarwadi” as their alter egos.




The folks staying in the old village still continue to do some marginal farming – either by choice, or waiting for it to be zoned as ‘residential’ so that it can be then sold for crores. Most farmers with bigger land holdings have made their moolah this way, and drive around in white Pajeros, Enddevours, Scorpio and other assorted SUVs – the only common factor being white clothes and white vehicles. Ex farmers have now become the local corporators, MLAs – they own the thriving water tanker business – people living in the’urban’ areas think that they have 24 hours corporation provided water supply, but in most cases, the meager water supply is augmented with the ‘water tankers’. At 800 Rs for 9000 litres of water, all of it drawn from wells owned by the farmers, it’s a business with 80% margins !



The old vacated semi-urban village houses are now occupied by migrants from various states, mostly you will see folks from Rajasthan who ply their trade as carpenters, electricians, painters – all servicing the booming realty market.



With the adhoc urbanization, city planning / development goes for a toss – you have 6000 Rs/sq foot real estate built – but no approach roads, no water. You have developed localities – but no civic amenities. Space for a police station, library, garden, play-ground – all exist – but only on paper – in the city’s Development Plan. The 1987 development plan for Pune, is still only 30% implemented J



The moment you enter the ‘gaon’ part – you will feel as if you are 100 kms outside Pune – the pace of life there is light years slower than the frenetic city life.



For those in Pune – visit the 300 year old Shiv temple in Someshwar-wadi ( 5 minutes off Baner/Aundh T point), and the adjoining civic garden. The temple premises are pretty big – old stone masonry, and a fort-like look.



Also, try the Baner hill (right behind Baner gaon, besides Pancard club) – a nice place for a weekend morning/evening stroll. 300 odd steps to the top of the mountain, excellent views all around. The main hillock adjoins a hilly area that separates Sus Road-Baner road – you can volunteer as part of a nature-lovers’ group who assemble on the hill top each Sunday morning at 7:30 AM. They have constructed few water tanks on the hill, and group together on Sunday mornings to water trees/plants that have been planted as part of an afforestation drive.