Pune Citizens Urge PMC To Halt Tree Felling On Ganeshkhind Road, Riverfront Project Amid Environmental Concerns
Pune Citizens Urge PMC To Halt Tree Felling On Ganeshkhind Road, Riverfront Project Amid Environmental Concerns
Pune, May 7, 2026: A group of concerned citizens has appealed to Pune Municipal Commissioner and Tree Authority Chairman Naval Kishor Ram to immediately stop large-scale tree felling taking place across the city, particularly along Ganeshkhind Road and under the ongoing Riverfront Development Project.
In a detailed representation submitted on May 5, residents expressed alarm over the increasing loss of green cover due to metro works, road widening projects, riverfront development, hill deforestation, and construction activities. The letter stated that more than 500 trees on Ganeshkhind Road are currently at risk of being cut.
The citizens said Pune’s trees form an essential part of the city’s biodiversity, ecosystem, and heritage, and warned that indiscriminate felling is causing irreversible ecological damage. They stressed that with rising summer temperatures and shrinking green cover, preserving trees has become an “existential necessity” for the city.
The representation raised concerns over alleged violations of provisions under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, and related judicial directives. Citizens claimed there were serious lapses in compliance with mandatory safeguards, scientific assessments, transparency norms, and accountability measures.
Regarding the proposed road widening and metro-related works on Ganeshkhind Road and Baner, the residents argued that tree cutting could be avoided if Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms and Urban Street Design Guidelines were properly implemented.
According to the letter, Ganeshkhind Road is already 36 metres wide in several sections, with four lanes on each side. The proposed widening to 45 metres would require an additional 9 metres. However, the presence of existing metro pillars, the Akashwani Complex, SSC Board building, and other permanent structures allegedly makes uniform widening physically impossible.
The citizens further argued that under IRC guidelines, the additional road width should primarily accommodate wider footpaths, cycle tracks, and multi-utility zones, leaving no requirement for tree felling. They also opposed any reduction in footpath widths, citing heavy pedestrian movement due to institutions such as Savitribai Phule Pune University, educational institutes, metro stations, and transport hubs in the area.
The representation also highlighted the mandatory requirement under the 2021 amendment to the tree protection law for authorities to prepare alternative project designs aimed at minimising tree loss. Citizens alleged that no such alternative plans had been presented.
Another major concern raised was the protection of old and heritage trees. The letter stated that trees aged over 50 years require special consideration and mandatory reference to the State Tree Authority before permission for felling can be granted. Citizens alleged that no such process had been undertaken.
The residents further warned that continued tree loss would worsen Pune’s urban heat island effect and air pollution, impacting public health and violating citizens’ right to life under the Constitution.
Strong objections were also raised against the Riverfront Development Project. Citizens alleged that thousands of trees, riparian forests, and wetlands had already been destroyed, severely affecting biodiversity and migratory bird habitats along the riverbanks.
The letter claimed that river cross-sections were being altered in violation of environmental conditions and alleged that several riverside trees were being buried under construction and demolition waste, leading to their destruction.
The citizens also questioned the implementation of compensatory plantation measures. According to the representation, environmental clearance conditions for Riverfront Development stretches 9, 10, and 11 required plantation of 69,400 trees. However, only 4,727 trees had reportedly been planted till April 2026.
The residents demanded that no further tree-felling permissions be granted until all previous conditions related to compensatory plantation, transplantation, and survival audits are fully complied with and publicly disclosed.
They have requested the Pune Municipal Commissioner to immediately stay all major tree-cutting activities until a transparent, expert-led, and legally compliant review of alternative project designs is conducted.
