Pune News: Will PMC Deliver On Its Promises? Citizens Meet Officials Over Tree Conservation and Infrastructure Concerns
Pune News: Will PMC Deliver On Its Promises? Citizens Meet Officials Over Tree Conservation and Infrastructure Concerns
Pune, February 8, 2025: Citizens from the ChaloPMC PuneSamvad Forum recently met Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Projects Department Head, Yuvraj Deshmukh, to discuss major concerns related to tree conservation and infrastructure projects. While the meeting resulted in several assurances, the real question remains—will these promises lead to real action?
Key Highlights of the Meeting
Tree Conservation in Infrastructure Projects
Citizens raised concerns over tree preservation in projects like the Bibwewadi Flyover, Riverfront Development (RFD), Kalyaninagar Underpass, and Vishrantwadi Flyover. Deshmukh assured that tree protection measures would be considered in these developments.
Investment in Tree Transplantation Equipment
PMC expressed readiness to invest in advanced machinery to successfully transplant large, old trees, emphasizing that cost would not be a constraint.
Expert Involvement for Tree Transplantation
Discussions were held with specialist agencies claiming a 90-95% success rate in tree transplantation. The process, requiring over a month of preparation, will be monitored by citizens.
Support for Transplanted Trees
Many citizens have volunteered to adopt and maintain transplanted trees, ensuring they survive and thrive in new locations.
Exploring Alternative Designs to Preserve Green Cover
Deshmukh acknowledged the need for redesigning infrastructure plans to reduce tree loss. He assured that PMC’s Commissioner and Additional Commissioners would be involved in decision-making to protect Pune’s green spaces.
Concerns Over Riverfront Development (RFD) and Flood Management
One of the most pressing concerns was flood prevention in the Koregaon Park stretch of RFD, where a nala meets the river. PMC plans to construct a large underground tunnel to allow water flow, but citizens questioned whether excess water would be absorbed efficiently. Clear answers were not provided, leaving concerns unresolved.
Will Words Turn into Action, Question Residents ?
While PMC’s assurances sound promising, the true challenge lies in execution. Will these commitments be fulfilled, or will they remain empty promises? Only time will tell.
