BBPP Road Proposal: CEC Listens to Activists and PMC, Site Visit Planned for Sunday

A proposed road project, the BBPP Road, has stirred up debate among activists, locals, and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The 1.8km-long road, originally planned as part of PMC’s 2007 development strategy, has encountered resistance from environmentalists and nearby residents. Despite legal clearance from the civic administration, concerns about its impact on the environment and groundwater aquifers persist.

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, convened to address objections raised by activists and to hear the PMC’s perspective on the project. Scheduled for Sunday, April 7, the committee plans to visit the proposed site at Vetal Tekdi, where the road would connect Senapati Bapat Road to the Kothrud area.

During the meeting, activists such as Sushma Date, Sarang Yadwadkar, Madhvi Rahirkar and Gurudas Nulkar voiced their apprehensions regarding the project’s environmental implications. However, citizens supportive of the road were reportedly excluded from the discussion, prompting criticism from BJP leader Ujwal Keskar.

Keskar expressed dissatisfaction with the proceedings, alleging that the committee favored activists’ viewpoints over those in support of the road. Despite efforts to participate in the hearing, Keskar claimed that supporters were sidelined, raising concerns about fairness in the decision-making process.

As the debate continues, both proponents and opponents await further developments, hoping for equitable representation and a thorough assessment of the project’s consequences.