Infrastructure and urban planning challenges in Juliaca

During the centennial year of Juliaca, local criticism emerged regarding the lack of large-scale infrastructure projects. Lawyer Denis Anaya argued that the San Román Provincial Municipality and the Puno Regional Government failed to implement transformative initiatives in transportation, urban modernization, health, and education, noting that many current works are merely carry-overs from previous administrations.

Concerns escalated as the municipal administration faced risks regarding the completion of the Urban Development Plan (PDU). Eusebio Cabrera Chunga, president of the Central de Barrios de Juliaca, reported that the contract with the entity responsible for the plan was terminated. Cabrera criticized the lack of transparency and warned that the current draft relies on outdated visions from the 2011-2021 period, potentially lacking community support for proposed infrastructure like tunnels.

Infrastructure failures have now directly impacted basic services. In the La Florida annex, more than one thousand families have been without potable water and sewage services for approximately one year. Residents report that a municipal street paving project conducted between August and October of last year destroyed local piping connections.

Affected community members are demanding that Sedajuliaca and the local municipality repair the damaged infrastructure. Frustration has grown as residents continue to receive bills for services they are not receiving. Currently, families must purchase bottled water or transport it by vehicle to meet basic needs, such as cooking and washing clothes.