Pune: Kothrud Citizens Protest Against Expansion Of College, Demand Immediate Halt To Construction Activities
Pune: Kothrud Citizens Protest Against Expansion Of College, Demand Immediate Halt To Construction Activities
Over 250 concerned citizens under the banner of CF@11 staged a strong protest on April 22 against the unchecked expansion of the MIT campus. The protest highlighted how the growing infrastructure and student population of the institute is negatively impacting the environment, ecology, and day-to-day lives of residents in the neighboring areas.
CF@11, an active citizen group representing more than 60 housing societies and over 11,250 residents in the HTT 11 area, has voiced serious concerns over the institution’s rapid growth. Protesters stated that the massive influx of students—currently estimated at 22,000—has led to traffic congestion, increasing pollution levels, and the degradation of the natural habitat.
The group is demanding an immediate stop to any new construction by MIT, regardless of its legal clearances or approvals. They are also calling for a drastic reduction in the student population from 22,000 to 5,000 in an effort to control environmental stress and ease the burden on local infrastructure.
Additionally, CF@11 insists that all vehicles belonging to MIT staff and students be accommodated within the campus premises to reduce roadside parking and related congestion.
Ganesh Pokale, Registrar, MIT WPU on the issue said, “MIT World Peace University strongly denies the recent complaints made by a neighbouring society about our construction activities. The claims about noise, dust, environmental damage, and legal violations are completely untrue and misleading. MIT-WPU has always followed the rules and taken all necessary permissions from government authorities before starting any construction work. These include all required clearances for building an educational infrastructure.”
The protest signifies rising frustration among local residents, who feel their voices are being ignored while their quality of life continues to deteriorate. CF@11 has vowed to continue its efforts until sustainable and resident-friendly solutions are implemented.
“We would also like to clarify that no work is happening on forest land, hilltops, or any protected area. We have not caused any harm to the environment, local wildlife, or the peace of the neighbourhood. Our construction is fully legal and done in a responsible and environment-friendly way. We are proud of our 40+ years of contribution to education and are committed to the well-being of our students, staff, and the community around us. We reject all false and baseless allegations. MIT-WPU will continue to work for education and innovation while respecting the environment and our neighbours, ” stated Pokale.
