Pune: Residents in Hinjewadi stayed firm in conducting a silent protest on Sunday even after the administration had urged them to reconsider after two meetings held to resolve infrastructure issues in the IT Park.Activists held a meeting on Saturday. They planned that participants will start their walk at 10am from Infosys Circle in Phase 1 to Shivaji Chowk and disperse. Adequate parking space has also been made available. The participants are instructed to refrain from sloganeering, littering and causing any kind of damage to public property.“Protesters would bring placards listing their demands. It was not for creating nuisance or pressure, but to inform govt that workers and residents were united in the cause to demand smart and adequate infrastructure in the IT Park,” said Namrata Naik, an activist.Around 1,000 residents, employees and villagers are expected to participate in the protest, funded by residents and IT employees.“The issues faced by all three stakeholders have been common. We needed good roads, water and electricity supply. We did not want half-baked solutions but a holistic approach. The administration knew what problems people have been facing. We have made representation to the govt in that regard,” said Pawanjit Mane, who has been working towards the cause.“In the meeting on Friday, we were informed that project-specific timelines would be decided in the coming week. Some announcements were floated during the meeting,” said another activist from Hinjewadi Dyanendra Hulsure, adding that we are still going ahead with our protest and urging people to join us.The administration heard the infrastructure issues raised by residents in two consecutive meetings on Thursday and Friday. The govt has created a task force for coordination and outlined various measures to improve roads and the last-mile connectivity for the upcoming Metro.“The meeting was held with the residents preemptively after we came to know about the protest. We have created a plan for Hinjewadi, and it will be completed in one and a half years,” Jitendra Dudi, Pune Collector, had told TOI on Thursday.
