PMC & PMRDA to plan out Ganeshkhind road widening for metro work

Pune : Ganeshkhind Road was visited by officials of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to discuss the problem of road widening that is impeding the Pune Metro Line 3 project. The PMRDA is worried about delays, and the PMC has proposed constructing three stations after widening the road to 45 meters. Together, the two sides will devise a plan to guarantee the seamless advancement of the metro project.

During their visit to Ganeshkhind Road on Saturday (23^rd December), officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) decided to develop a plan in light of the ongoing metro construction.

However, several active Pune citizens & activists have shown resentment & opposition to cut several trees to widen the Ganeshkhind road from Pune University Chowk to Sancheti Hospital. 

Here is the complete timeline so far:

·         In September 2023, activists had expressed strong opposition to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) proposal to cut down trees and in order to widen the Ganeshkhind Road section between University Chowk and Sancheti Hospital by 45 meters

·         In October 2023, the Bombay High Court bench hearing the PIL had stayed the further cutting of trees and instructed that the orders be conveyed to the Commissioner immediately –

·         In early December 2023, to voice their opposition against the tree felling conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), active citizens & activists of Pune conducted ‘Chalo Chipko’ on Ganeshkhind road –

·         Taking suo moto cognizance of indiscriminate felling of trees across the city, the principal bench of NGT at New Delhi had asked its Pune bench to examine the legality of tree felling orders, and compliance of the provisions of relevant laws – 

·         On 15^th December 2023, the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday granted a stay on the removal of trees for the expansion of Ganeshkhind Road in Pune until December 21 in order to give petitioners time to file a case with the Bombay High Court – 

·         On 21^st December 2023, the Bombay High Court ordered a stay on the tree felling at Ganeshkhind Road & had appointed a committee of experts having officers from PMC & PMRDA. The high court ordered that the Committee shall complete its task as mentioned above as early as possible, preferably within a period of 2 (two) months. The report of the Committee shall be submitted to the Court through the learned counsel representing the Municipal Corporation by the next date of listing – 

For the PMRDA metro line-3 double-decker flyover, the PMC is presently giving priority to widening the road from Pune University to the RBI building. There are no problems with metro stations in the first stretch leading up to the RBI building compound; about 80% of the work has been finished.

Shreyas Vange