Environmental activists oppose construction activity on Vetal Tekdi
Akash Dhanurkar
The Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) had proposed a plan of constructing a 20 feet wide road on top of the institute’s area on the Vetal Tekdi. According to the institute, they are building the road to plan an access route to supply water to the planned park at the hilltop. The institute has also stated that this road will be an alternate route for their students from Paud Road.
However, the environmental activists from Pune have staunchly opposed any move of bisecting or damaging ecological balance of Vetal Tekdi. An online petetion signed by more than 3000 citizens till date is widely being circulated online to oppose the move of constructing the road on the reserved forest areas.
According to the information provided by Sushma Date, an environmental activist, in November 2020, during Diwali, the Pune Municipal Corporation had halted the construction citing the absence of legal permission to build a road on the hill top area. The damage caused during the excavation work carried out stealthily was caught by the locals, is irreparable.
Dr. Sushma Date, who has written a letter to Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner Vikram Kumar urging him to deny any permission to the Institute for building the road. While talking to Pune Pulse she said, “Any construction activity on this hill will cause tremendous ecological damage to one of the few remaining natural green spaces in the heart of the city. Also, an additional road, with one entrance gate that can be used for students from coming from Paud road is illogically blocked, will in fact attract more traffic. Also, according to DC Rules 2017, any construction activity on Hill side areas is banned.”
She further said, “We have written a letter to the commissioner to look into the latter that violates the act and law. We have to save the green space in Pune, and Vetal Tekdi is the heart of the city. We will oppose anyone who tries to hamper the ecological balance of the green space.”
Vaishali Patkar, an activist who was present during a meeting of activists with the MIT representatives, said, “We have started the petetion, now. Pune have to wake up because this is the question your children and our future generations. The ecological balance is being hampered due to so called development. The MIT representatives have claimed that it is their land and they are free to do anything that comes to their mind.”
Pankaj Modani, a resident from the area who is actively opposing any construction of the road in the sensitive water reservoir, said, “In the coming years, Pune is going to face a big time water shortage, and amid this crisis, hampering such a sensitive area will only hamper the ecological balance.”
Another 19 year old activist-student Tanmayee Shinde, said, “This construction of road will even hamper the ground water level. So, one can absorb that there scientifically oppose to the project.”
While talking with one of the sources from the MIT, who requested anonymity, said, “It is our land, so we have all the rights to initiate any development we have on our mind. Who are these activists ? Why should they stop us from developing the area falling in our control. Even the ministers have visited the site, and they have found no trouble to the ecological balance.”
Pune Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Vikram Kumar, while talking to Pune Pulse, said, “We have initiated a notice to the institute, and a necessary course of action will be taken for this activity.”
The decision to take action against the construction of the road has come as a big relief to the environmental activists. However, the activists are demanding the PMC to remove the debris as early as possible even if the institute that claims to be actively supporting the sustainable living, had commited an irreversible and irreparable damage.
