Pune: AAP Alleges Illegal Canal Road Deal: PMC-Irrigation Dept Collusion Aiding Builders With Extra FSI
Pune: AAP Alleges Illegal Canal Road Deal: PMC-Irrigation Dept Collusion Aiding Builders With Extra FSI
Pune: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the state Irrigation Department of colluding with private builders to illegally convert Pune’s Mutha Left Canal corridor into an “approach road,” granting unlawful Floor Space Index (FSI) benefits. AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat made the revelations during a press conference held at Patrakar Bhavan, Pune.
The 20-kilometre stretch of the Mutha Left Canal (from km 8 to 27), which runs through key areas of Pune from Warje to Ganeshkhind Road, is officially under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department. Over the years, parts of this corridor have been developed with jogging tracks, cycling paths, tree plantations, and even service lanes in congested areas. However, despite being classified as a water body in the city’s development plan, the PMC’s Construction Department has allegedly reclassified the canal path as a 12-meter-wide access road for builders, enabling them to gain increased FSI.
According to Kirdat, this illegal transformation is being facilitated through short-term, one-year lease agreements between the Irrigation Department and builders, allowing them to misuse the canal’s service roads as approach roads. He displayed official building plans, lease contracts, and development layouts as evidence during the press briefing.
Kirdat pointed out that the misuse sets a dangerous precedent. In one instance, the Jeevan Pradeep Co-operative Society near Hare Krishna Temple Road in Shivajinagar entered into such a lease with the Irrigation Department. Despite an earlier agreement between the PMC and the department in 1995 that designated the canal as a temporary service path strictly for two-wheeler access during the day, this new agreement permitted the builder to claim extra FSI and secure revised construction approvals.
AAP warns that this pattern could be replicated across the entire 20-km stretch, affecting key locations such as Prabhat Road, Bhandarkar Road, and Model Colony. Kirdat emphasized that the city’s official development plan does not propose any road in this canal zone and continues to categorise it solely as a water body.
AAP, along with residents of Chaphekar Nagar, had earlier raised the issue with the PMC Commissioner, the Construction Department, and Irrigation officials. However, they allege that PMC authorities have turned a blind eye. Consequently, AAP and the Chaphekar Nagar Citizens’ Action Committee — represented by Srikant Bhise, Ganesh Khengre, Prabhakar Tiwari, Sagar Kinjalaskar, and Gulab Wagh — have issued formal notices under Section 80 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC) to the PMC Commissioner, Executive Engineer of the Khadakwasla Irrigation Division, and the Maharashtra Urban Development Department.
The groups have demanded that the illegally approved building maps be revoked and disciplinary action be taken against the responsible officials. Failing this, they warned of launching a sit-in protest outside the PMC Commissioner’s residence.
Highlighting the potential of the canal corridor, AAP called for preserving it as a green and recreational zone — similar to European models — suitable for jogging, cycling, school commutes, and public art spaces. They stressed that the stretch from Ganeshkhind to Warje could serve as a vital “oxygen zone” for the city and should not be sacrificed for FSI-driven urbanisation.
The press conference was addressed by
Mukund Kirdat, Spokesperson, Aam Aadmi Party, Maharashtra, Srikant Bhise, Chaphekar Nagar Citizens’ Action Committee, Ganesh Khengre, Shankar Thorat, Prashant Kamble, Subhash Karande, Fabian Samson.
