Pune News: MLA Amit Gorkhe Demands Immediate Cancellation Of Pimpri-Chinchwad Development Plan, Alleges Bias Toward Builder Lobby
Pune News: MLA Amit Gorkhe Demands Immediate Cancellation Of Pimpri-Chinchwad Development Plan, Alleges Bias Toward Builder Lobby
Pune, July 3, 2025: Strong opposition is growing among citizens regarding the newly proposed Development Plan (DP) of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). MLA Amit Gorkhe, in a calling attention motion raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, accused the administration of preparing the DP entirely to benefit the builder lobby.
Gorkhe described the DP as a “deliberate conspiracy against the people” and demanded its immediate cancellation. He also urged the Urban Development Minister to order a high-level inquiry against the concerned officials and consultants, and to suspend them. Speaking to the media after raising the issue in the Council, Gorkhe strongly criticized the draft DP.
Key Points Raised by MLA Amit Gorkhe:
- The last DP, prepared in 1997, has seen only 50% implementation, yet a new one has been prepared without any meaningful review.
- The new DP serves the interests of builders while infringing on the rights of ordinary citizens.
- Builder plots have been excluded from reservations, while homes of poor and middle-class families have been reserved.
- The DP was created under an administrative regime without the participation of mayors, corporators, or local representatives—lacking transparency and driven by political motives.
- Over 30,000 objections were submitted to the PCMC, yet the administration has ignored them.
- Converting green zones into residential (R-zone) areas threatens environmental balance.
- The GIS survey by HCP company has proven inaccurate, prompting Gorkhe to question, “Was this map made in their sleep?”
- Reserving plots with already approved building permissions is deceptive toward the residents.
Strong Appeal to the Government:
“This DP is a conspiracy against the rights of the poor, middle-class, and traditional landowners. The state government must intervene immediately to cancel it. Officials responsible must be suspended after a proper investigation. If not, citizens will take to the streets, and we will stand with them,” declared Gorkhe.
In the Charholi area, zones meant for crematoriums have been shown as residential, and natural hill areas have also been marked for housing. In Chinchwad village, Plot No. 260 BG on Chinchwad Link Road, marked for a burial ground, lies adjacent to residential homes — this reservation must be revoked.
In areas like Pimpri, Akurdi, Charholi, Wakad, and Thergaon, reservations have been made without public awareness or consideration of local sentiments.
For example:
- Akurdi’s Shriram Mandir and its surrounding land were fully reserved, affecting poor residents.
- In Alandi — the holy town of Saint Dnyaneshwar — a slaughterhouse reservation was proposed, hurting religious sentiments.
- Police station and depot reserved near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue, and crematoriums in residential zones, along with arbitrary reservation of farmers’ land — all these steps are anti-people.
- Targeting the Sindhi community’s businesses is a glaring example of political injustice.
“We do not oppose development. But we reject development that tramples on people’s emotions, faith, and existence. Cancel this draft immediately, re-survey the area, and create a true development plan with public participation,” demanded Gorkhe.
Minister Madhuri Misal Responds:
Replying to Gorkhe’s motion, Minister of State Madhuri Misal assured the House:
“After hearing public objections to the DP, the Planning Department will recommend necessary amendments to the administration. The final report will be sent to the state government, which has the authority to revise or cancel the DP. I assure the House that no one will face injustice. If there are serious flaws in the plan, the Chief Minister will take appropriate action. Based on MLA Gorkhe’s demand, a meeting will also be held at the Mantralaya with local representatives to discuss the draft DP.”
