6Aundh/Baner, Friday, January 22, 2010plusCity

Vivek Velankar, RTI Activist We have to be cautious

"This was a very tragic incident,but it will not dampen our determi-nation to keep working on this front.Any individual, who wishes to voiceagainst something that is wrong insociety, becomes vulnerable to suchacts. We will provide a platform forpeople where it will be possible for them to make RTIapplications and they shall be published on the web viaa dedicated network.

Padmashree Patil, Investor andSocial WorkerSocial activists are importantto society

"This incident is a dampener to thevery essence of democracy. It is timeto recognise the social activists asan important aspect of society. Thepolice, administration and public - all should work asa helping hand for such activists, and in a timely man-ner. Activists and such NGOs should register themselvesas a cautious step in future.

Satish Khot, President–NationalSociety for Clean Cities

Such people should be protected"This is a heinous crime that has

taken place to curb the morale ofactivists and vigilant citizens.There should be a whistlebloweract that should be put in place toprotect people who are braving against such wrongdoers in society. Activists are doing commendablejob of bringing to light works of the anti-social ele-ments around. It is essential that they be protectedand also that their names not be revealed when anyRTI application is filed.

Priyankita Deshmukh, 4th yearLaw Student

The fight against injustice shouldcontinue

"I see this as one more sacrificeagainst the struggle for justice insociety. Activists should also takecare not to become easy targets andtake precautions of working collectively. Just like wehad a freedom struggle against the outsiders, thisstruggle against those among ourselves and the sys-tem should continue, but cautiously. Activists shouldexpand their league for a better society in future.

City Pulse

How safe are RTIactivists in Pune?The recent incident of RTI activist Satish Shetty bru-tally killed in a safe city like Pune has evoked strongreactions from various sections of society. Duringtimes when people have little faith left in the system,it is quite shocking that such individuals who strivefor a better society and justice are targeted andsilenced forever. The loss of such an activist isirreparable, yet the spirit of striving ahead seems tokeep burning bright.

But the real picture of Baner road is a differ-ent story. Many of the potholes are still openand without barricades. The bus stop on

Balewadi Phata has a big pit just in front of thebenches because of which all the travellers have tostand on the road while waiting for buses. Someregular travellers say that it is a problem they havebeen facing for the past eight-nine months. The pitis open and without barricades. In rainy season itis filled with water and becomes more risky.

Shopkeepers and restaurant owners in the area saythey are suffering losses due to this. As there is no prop-er parking available, customers prefer to go else-where. Surendra Sharma, a shopkeeper on the roadsays, "Barricades is a temporary arrangement. Theyshould complete this work as soon as possible. I can'tunderstand why work is going at a tardy pace only onthe patch from Green Park onwards. Due to this theroad has become uneven and is causing trouble for vehi-cles. No open spaces have remained for parking".

The long-pending construction of Baner road has created many problems not only for vehicles but forshops and restaurants in the area also. There are many big potholes on both sides of the road from GreenPark to Sadanand Hotel since one year. Cityplus had reported on the matter and how it is creating a nui-sance for people. After the news appeared barricades were set around some potholes. Deputy city engi-neer Sandip Khandwe said that it would take a little time to complete the work. The pedestrian crossingwork will start soon on the patch from Pune University to Green Park.

Delay in Baner road construction work leads to problems

The big pit at Balewadi Phata bus stand.

Another big pothole barricaded on the road.