Pune: Citizens Demand PMC To Widen VIP Airport Road In Viman Nagar To 30 Metres As Per Development Plan
Pune: Citizens Demand PMC To Widen VIP Airport Road In Viman Nagar To 30 Metres As Per Development Plan
Pune, June 3, 2025 – The Viman Nagar Citizens Forum has strongly criticised the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for decades of inaction and negligence in implementing road widening plans, particularly for the VIP Airport Road, which continues to face severe congestion due to its narrow width.
According to RTI documents accessed by the forum, despite the Development Plan (DP) of 1987 clearly mandating a 30-metre-wide VIP Airport Road, the actual width remains only 18.3 metres in most stretches. “The PMC has had more than three decades to acquire land, and the excuse of lack of funds is no longer acceptable,” said forum convenor Qaneez Sukhrani.
Citizens have demanded that PMC take immediate steps to acquire the necessary setback portions from private builders and societies, using either cash compensation or Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). If cooperation is not forthcoming, forced acquisition via the Collector’s office has been suggested.
The forum also flagged the issue of illegally leased properties and garages operating from roadside plots, which worsen traffic bottlenecks. “Nineteen workshops occupy already narrow stretches, while vehicles enter and exit these sheds without restriction,” said Sukhrani.
Additionally, residents are frustrated by the growing traffic chaos post the opening of Terminal 2’s gate into Viman Nagar. With over 300 daily flights, airport-related traffic regularly overwhelms the inadequate road width.
Notices have reportedly been issued to violators, but PMC has failed to follow up, often allowing legal delays to stall enforcement. “Why has PMC not demanded setback transfers automatically from new constructions?” the forum questioned.
Citizens are also urging the Traffic Police to take stricter action against unauthorized parking, roadside vehicle repairs, and wrong-side driving—all contributing to the daily gridlock.
