Former Pune mayor and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Shantilal Suratwala passed away on Friday morning, January 30, at the age of 76. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer at Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune.
Long Public Career
Suratwala's political career began in 1979 with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections, where he won from the city post ward. He served as corporator and later as mayor, holding various civic responsibilities between 1979 and 2007.
A close confidant of senior leaders Sharad Pawar and Suresh Kalmadi, Suratwala was entrusted with the mayoral role on Pawar’s insistence. He was also the founder of the Anand Rishiji Blood Bank and was widely respected for his work with local Ganesh mandals.
Also Read | Panvel Accident: Pedestrian Killed After Car Crashes Into Vehicles Near Railway Station.
Known for Innovative Civic Ideas
During his mayoral tenure, Suratwala introduced several development-focused initiatives. One of his notable proposals involved washing 12 major city roads using water from Katraj Lake to help reduce pollution. The plan also included filling potholes and easing traffic congestion before implementing the road-washing schedule.
Pune is already observing a shutdown following the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Suratwala’s passing has deepened the sense of grief, with many remembering him as a moderate, thoughtful and development-oriented leader.