Pune: Bhugaon Residents From Forest Trails Allege Illegal Construction On Reserved Open Land, Seek Action Against Builder And PMRDA

Pune, November 25, 2025: A major dispute has erupted in Bhugaon as residents of the Forest Trails Township have accused Paranjape Builders and officials of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) of permitting illegal construction on nearly 35 acres of land reserved for public amenities. According to residents, the land designated for open spaces such as parks, playgrounds and community facilities is being converted into construction plots through questionable approvals.

Retired Merchant Navy Captain Uday Kulkarni, who is leading the protest, alleged that the authorities responsible for protecting public spaces are instead enabling their misuse. Calling it a serious breach of trust, he said he would soon submit documents and resident statements to support claims of “collusion,” including correspondence with PMRDA Commissioner Dr Yogesh Mhase.

Key Points Raised by Residents to PMRDA and Government Authorities

• Residents state that every claim is supported by documentary evidence already submitted to PMRDA.
• Forest Trails Township has become an example of how the private township model—intended to provide affordable housing—has been misused through collusion between PSCL and PMRDA, causing massive loss to homebuyers.
  Residents warn that unless strict action is taken against the Project Proponent (PP) and responsible PMRDA officials, irreversible harm will occur.
• PMRDA’s order dated 6 October 2025 confirms that the PP committed multiple irregularities and illegalities while developing Forest Trails.
  A last-minute attempt by some officers to alter the original investigation report (signed by Commissioner Dr. Mhase) failed, as residents had already secured the earlier version via RTI.
• The builder’s reply to residents’ complaints is vague, filled with baseless personal accusations, and falsely claims all constructions adhere to sanctioned PLUs from PMRDA.
• Residents have provided irrefutable evidence that many PMRDA sanctions granted to PSCL are illegal and issued in collusion with the builder.
• PMRDA cannot permit construction on mandatory open spaces, gardens and playgrounds, which are protected under Township Policy.
  The Building Department’s excuse that the policy was “not clear” for 15 years is false and unacceptable.
  Reference: Commissioner’s letter dated 6 October 2025 to HPC.
• The 175-acre township, approved under STP 2005 rules, required the developer to provide 35 acres of gardens/parks/playgrounds plus public utilities like a hospital, police station, town hall and library.
  The developer received significant government concessions and was expected to complete the township by 2022.
• Instead, the developer filed false affidavits, built poor-quality infrastructure for water, electricity and sewage, and—along with PMRDA’s building wing—constructed buildings on mandatory amenity spaces and sold them to unsuspecting buyers.
• If courts order restoration of mandatory open spaces, these illegally built structures may face demolition, putting innocent homebuyers at financial risk, while the builder escapes accountability.
• PMRDA officers who granted illegal permissions will likely be transferred without any action, leaving homebuyers to suffer while PSCL profits.
• PMRDA has no explanation for regularising major illegal constructions (sales office, horse stables, equestrian club) in 2019 without collecting mandatory compounding fees and fines from PSCL.
• Rampant hill cutting by PSCL has been ongoing since 2018, with residents documenting over 200 dumper loads of removed soil. PMRDA ignored complaints and shifted responsibility to the Collector.
• Although Commissioner Dr. Mhase directed the Director of Town Planning to investigate the hill cutting over 45 days ago, no site visit or report has been submitted so far.
• Residents have escalated the matter to the Secretary, UDD1 and HPC, submitting complete documentary evidence of all illegalities.

Residents say that planning rules are being bypassed, raising concerns about misuse of power and lack of regulatory oversight. They fear that the alleged changes in land use could ultimately harm future homebuyers, citing previous cases in Pune—such as in Bavdhan, Wagholi and Hinjewadi—where courts ordered demolition of illegal constructions, leaving buyers vulnerable while developers faced minimal consequences.

Despite multiple complaints, residents claim that PMRDA has not intervened, allowing development to continue. Many believe the issue reflects a broader pattern of weak regulation, where major developers exploit gaps in the system while authorities fail to act.

Builder’s Statement:

Paranjape Schemes Construction Limited (PSCL) would like to inform its residents and the general public that the claims of illegal construction made by a certain resident of the Forest Trails township are vehemently false and misleading.
PSCL has earned the trust of home-buyers over four decades by delivering more than 200 projects rooted in quality construction, transparency and ethical practices.

Forest Trails is an Integrated Township where amenities such as gardens and playgrounds are to be developed proportionately in a phasewise manner. Thus far, the gardens and playgrounds are developed exceedingly more compared to the developed potential, demonstrating our commitment to community well-being.

The current allegations come from an individual Mr.Uday Kulkarni, a chronic litigant who has repeatedly troubled residents, management committees, and the developer for more than a decade. He made some unreasonable demands to the developer were rightly rejected, following which he has been attempting to malign the company’s reputation. His statements do not reflect the sentiments of the 5000+ residents who happily reside in Forest Trails.

PSCL has initiated legal action against the defamatory claims being circulated. We wish to reassure all stakeholders that no illegal construction has taken place and all development complies strictly with township regulations and approvals.
Regarding recent power fluctuations, these issues are not limited to Forest Trails but affect the entire Bhugaon area due to pressure on the local grid. To improve supply quality, PSCL is installing a dedicated power line from an alternate source.

Urban planning experts warn that if the allegations are proven, loss of designated open spaces could affect ecological balance, reduce ventilation zones and undermine mandatory norms that ensure recreational and common areas for communities.

Captain Kulkarni said he plans to present “concrete evidence” to authorities and make it public, while also pressing PMRDA to clarify the legality of the permissions granted. Residents have appealed to the state government to step in before permanent damage occurs.