PMC faces scrutiny over spending Rs 100 cr on projects without proper planning

By: Pune Pulse

December 11, 2023

Pune : The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has come under scrutiny for its inadequate planning and execution of projects resulting in the spending of around ₹ 100 crore on various projects in the last decade.

These projects include the dismantled flyover at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) junction, the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), and others. 

In 2013, the proposed construction of a riverside road connecting Vithalwadi to the Pune-Mumbai National Highway (NH-4) bypass faced challenges when both the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) mandated its halt due to violations of environmental regulations. The estimated cost for this project was ₹ 23.93 crore.

Also, the PMC began developing alternative routes towards Sinhagad Road in 2010, but this initiative faced opposition from environmental activists, leading to an expenditure of about ₹5 crore for debris removal. The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) demolished two flyovers on Ganeshkhind Road near Savitribai Phule Pune University in 2020. These flyovers, funded by the PMC and constructed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), were removed to facilitate the construction of the Pune Metro line-3 project. The PMC had invested ₹40 crore in these infrastructure facilities.

The Ahmednagar Road BRTS was dismantled due to various reasons. Initially introduced in 2016 to prioritize passenger safety, the BRTS on Solapur and Satara roads faced increased accidents and had to be removed due to metro construction. This resulted in the dismantling of the 3.5-kilometer stretch of Pune-Ahmednagar Road BRTS. The PMC had invested approximately ₹33 crore in a total of 7.5 kilometers of BRTS.

As per the information provided, activists criticized the civic body for the wastage of taxpayers’ money. They alleged that PMC conducts comprehensive project reports (DPR) for various development projects without consulting experts. At the request of politicians, PMC incorporates these projects into the city’s Development Plan (DP) and implements them without considering their feasibility and long-term implications on the city’s overall development.

Additionally, the PMC has faced criticism for spending over ₹80 crore on consultants in the past decade. These consultants were hired for different departments such as water supply, roads, solid waste management, drainage, and power projects. The road department had the highest allocation of around ₹40 crore, followed by the water supply department with ₹16 crore. The solid waste department had the lowest expenditure of ₹1 crore on consultants, while the electrical department spent ₹2.10 crore and the project department (flyovers) spent approximately ₹10 crore.