PUNE: A demographic and socio-economic survey of citizens in the 11 villages merged into the civic limits has been rolled out.The survey, conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation, is part of the ongoing process of drawing up the development plan (DP) for these villages.The process of gathering information under the demographic survey is expected to get over in three months. Based on the observations in the survey, a report will be prepared detailing the living patterns, density of population and social, economic status of the residents.The civic administration has appointed Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE) to conduct the survey. The appointment was cleared by the standing committee a few months ago.Civic officials said 5,000 homes from merged areas will be randomly selected for the survey. The residents have been urged to furnish the information to the surveyors.The PMC has issued a letter to GIPE to authorize the survey work and avoid any problems if residents raise any objections.Officials added that the survey will be a crucial base for the DP. Field work is expected to continue for about two months followed by a month-long assessment of the collected data, they said.The state government had announced the merger of 11 villages in the PMC’s limits last year. About 3 lakh people residing in about 74 sqkm of the fringe areas are now part of the civic limits.The demand for merger has been pending for long. These areas lack basic amenities like water, road and power. Residents claim development has been haphazard so far and strong action against encroachments and illegal constructions is necessary.Chetan Tupe, president of NCP’s city unit, said the state government should allot more funds to ensure overall development of these areas.

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