Pune’s revised development plan to project urban needs till 2046

There were 79,000 objections and 11 court cases against the draft policy introduced in August 2021. Representation Pic/istock

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), established in 2015, is the statutory body managing planning and development for the Pune Metropolitan Region - one of India's fastest-growing urban zones. Its jurisdiction covers Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maval, Mulshi, Haveli, and parts of Bhor, Daund, Shirur, Khed, Purandar, and Velhe. PMRDA ensures integrated growth across urban and semi-urban areas. Once criticised for slow progress, the authority is now more proactive. Since Dr Yogesh Mhase became Commissioner in June 2024, several key projects have gained momentum, reflecting PMRDA's renewed commitment to sustainable growth and a more progressive future for Pune.

Why was the draft development plan cancelled suddenly?
Ans: When the chief minister saw that there were 79,000 objections and 11 court cases, he immediately realised something was wrong. In the draft DP, the Proposed Land Use (PLU) zones had been wrongly added to the Existing Land Use (ELU) maps. Eleven court cases had already been filed challenging this plan. We submitted an affidavit of cancellation to the Bombay High Court recently. The affidavit also sought the withdrawal of the pending court cases related to the cancelled DP. The draft DP, released in August 2021, had been mired in controversy. The revised development plan will now look 20 years ahead, projecting up to the year 2046.

Dr Yogesh Mhase, PMRDA commissioner

Have any projects been hampered due to the cancellation of the draft DP?
Ans: No. The cancellation of the DP has not affected any ongoing projects. Until a new DP is sanctioned, the existing regional plan from 1997 will continue to guide essential development decisions. Town planning (TP) schemes also remain unaffected. The only limitation is that land acquisition for public reservations cannot take place until a new DP is approved. To address this, we have instructed the administration to first develop a grid of 12-metre-wide roads. Once that is in place, TP Schemes will be implemented instead of relying on a development plan. There are no legal or procedural hurdles blocking this path. PMRDA can carry forward projects while the new DP is being drafted.

Will TP schemes proceed without delays?
Ans: Yes. The six proposed town planning schemes, spread across 1000 hectares in the Pune Metropolitan Region, will continue as planned. The state government has directed us to move forward using the TP model. Cities like Ahmedabad and Lucknow have shown that development through a 12-metre road network and TP schemes ensures long-term, structured growth.

How will the new DP ensure better implementation?
Ans: The state government is committed to approving effective development plans. While preparing a DP, we must address key urban needs such as sanitation, water supply, traffic, pollution control, sewage, and solid waste management. It is not enough to just designate zones; their implementation is equally crucial. For example, BDP (Biodiversity Park) reservations and hilltop-hill slope zones were created with good intentions, but we must now evaluate whether they have truly helped protect the environment. Strategic decisions will be required in this regard.

Why is last-mile connectivity essential for public transport?
Ans: Even if major transit networks are efficient, people won't use them unless they can easily reach the first and final points of their journey. Without well-connected roads, footpaths, feeder buses, or shared mobility services, public transport remains underutilised.

How does unplanned urbanisation impact cities?
Ans: Without proper housing policies, slums begin to spread. Natural water bodies like rivers and streams get encroached upon and blocked. Waste and sewage management becomes chaotic and unmanageable. The absence of a master plan results in haphazard growth, making the city's infrastructure collapse under pressure.

What is the current status of the ring road project?
Ans: We are currently prioritising the eastern part of the ring road. The western section is under consideration - since Pune already has a bypass road, we are evaluating whether a separate western ring road is necessary. As far as the eastern section goes, proposals for 100 per cent land acquisition have already been sent to the concerned authorities. Following the government GR, we are prepared to carry out land acquisition on a fast-track basis, aiming to complete it within just three months.

What is the purpose of the ring road project?
Ans: The ring road is planned as a key project to enable sustainable and organised urban growth in Pune and nearby areas. It aims to provide circular connectivity between major points like Lohegaon Airport, Hinjewadi IT Park, and Chakan MIDC. The project will reduce traffic in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, lower urban pollution, and boost transport efficiency. A joint effort by PMRDA and MSRDC, it addresses the rising transport needs of Pune's expanding metropolitan region while supporting infrastructure growth.

What major infrastructure components are planned in this project?
Ans: The project involves large-scale infrastructure development, including two railway flyovers, 11 tunnels, 17 major bridges, and nine interchanges. One of the initial phases focuses on the stretch from Solu interchange to Nirgudi, with an estimated cost of R884.89 crore. Another phase targets the section from Nirgudi to Vadgaon Shinde, expected to cost R310.89 crore. These proposals have already been submitted to PMRDA by the district administration.

Which rivers are included under PMRDA's pollution abatement initiative?
Ans: PMRDA has undertaken pollution abatement projects for the Indrayani, Pavana, Mula, and Mutha rivers. The core focus is on cleaning the rivers and promoting water recycling.

What steps has PMRDA taken for the Indrayani River Improvement Project?
A consultant has been appointed to rejuvenate and prevent pollution in the Indrayani River, which spans 105.3 km and joins the Bhima River at Tulapur. The river flows through various urban and rural areas, including municipal corporations and councils of Lonavala, Talegaon Dabhade, Alandi, Dehu Road Cantonment Board, and 39 villages under several gram panchayats. Pollution caused by domestic and industrial wastewater is a major concern, especially since the river serves as a primary drinking water source for Alandi. Pollution control measures are planned for 87.5 km under PMRDA's jurisdiction. The plan includes constructing 38 STPs - 20 in urban and 18 in rural areas - to treat wastewater from 48 villages and towns.

What are the major challenges faced by PMRDA since its establishment?
Since its formation, PMRDA has struggled with challenges, mainly due to severe manpower shortages. Though meant for regional planning, it is often wrongly seen as just a building permission body. Its actual role involves engineering and guiding planned development. Past leaders faced difficulties due to lack of office space, funds, and administrative support. These factors slowed progress early on. In 2021, it got its own office in Akurdi, and with state backing, efforts to boost operations have visibly improved.