Pune: PMC Secures 17 Acres Of Defense Land For River Rejuvenation Project
Pune: PMC Secures 17 Acres Of Defense Land For River Rejuvenation Project
Pune, February 27, 2025 – In a major boost to Pune’s river rejuvenation project, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has secured 17 acres of reserved land in Sangamwadi, previously under defense authorities. The land transfer, facilitated by the central government, will allow the city to accelerate its river restoration and beautification efforts.
The acquired land will be utilized for public welfare initiatives, including riverbank beautification, parks, walking plazas, open gyms, and gardens. Officials believe this will enhance Pune’s ecological landscape while providing recreational spaces for residents. The Union Minister of state for civil aviation and cooperative Murlidhar Mohol shared the information on his X handle today.
पाठपुराव्याला यश; संरक्षण खात्याच्या जागेचे पुणे महापालिकेला हस्तांतर !
— Murlidhar Mohol (@mohol_murlidhar) February 26, 2025
संगमवाडीतील १७ एकर जागा नदी पुनरुज्जीवन प्रकल्पासाठी…
सरंक्षण मंत्री मा.श्री. राजनाथ सिंह जी यांचे समस्त पुणेकरांच्या वतीनं मनःपूर्वक धन्यवाद !@narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @rajnathsingh… pic.twitter.com/bMykM6jMaT
Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol emphasized the significance of this development, stating that the land acquisition has removed a major hurdle for the project. “The municipal administration can now proceed with the necessary legal and procedural steps for efficient execution,” he said.
The river restoration project, approved in 2014, has seen continuous efforts to secure key land parcels. Authorities have assured that all necessary procedural formalities will be completed in a systematic manner, ensuring seamless implementation of the initiative.
Prajakta Mahajan, a member of Pune River Revival said, “I have written an email to the defence minister and filed an online grievance with the PMO to object to the decision of the Defence Department to allocate 17 acres of defence land to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for the Riverfront Development Project. While urban development is important, this particular project poses a severe threat to the natural ecosystem of the river and its riparian zone. I have urged them to reconsider the decision to allocate defence land for this project. Alternative solutions that focus on ecological restoration rather than concrete-based interventions must be explored. I think everyone should write to the defence minister.” Prajakta Mahajan added, “This project does not qualify as an essential service and appears to be an unnecessary use of public funds, particularly when there are more pressing civic and environmental concerns in the city. It is imperative to prioritize the conservation of natural ecosystems over superficial beautification projects that compromise environmental integrity.”
