While many of the villages are not happy with the services provided by the newly formed Panvel Municipal Corporation, the demand to include two more CIDCO nodes in the corporation is growing. The demand has been made during an event by a political party recently.
Karanjade and Ulwe nodes are the two nodes that are being demanded to be included in the corporation.
The PMC was formed in 2016 by including CIDCO nodes and 29 villages in the Panvel Municipal Council. Former BJP MP Ramsheth Thakur made the demand during an event held recently. “Like these nodes, Adai and Sukapur gram panchayats are also close to the civic jurisdiction. Considering the rapidly increasing urbanization in these villages, discussions are underway as to whether these villages will also be included in the corporation,” said Thakur during the event.
By expanding the Panvel Municipal Council, Kamothe, Kalamboli, Kharghar, New Panvel, Taloja Pachnand, Navade, and 29 villages were added and the corporation was formed. As per the 2011 census, the population of the civic corporation is 5.11 lakh. However, over the period, the population of the civic area has increased and it is expected to be around 9 lakhs.
During the event, the BJP leader demanded the inclusion of both Karanjade and Ulwa nodes in the PMC considering the population of the area. However, the demand provoked reactions from the political and social levels.
“At present, CIDCO has not fully developed the Karanjade node. Until then, we should not include Karanjade in the PMC. Even the Property tax rates in the civic corporation are not affordable,” said Rameshwar Angre, Sarpanch, Karanjade village. He is against the proposal to include Karanjade in the PMC.
Similarly, Ulwe falls under the Wahal Gram Panchayat. The gram panchayat generates a good revenue from the stamp duty due to development works in the Node and it has been carrying out a number of development works like installing CCTV, construction of roads, and solid waste management. A Peoples and Worker Party leader says that they are not opposing the proposal but that inclusion in the corporation will impact social issues which need to be addressed.
