Pune: PMC To Seek Forest Department Approval For Balbharati-Paud Phata Road
Pune: PMC To Seek Forest Department Approval For Balbharati-Paud Phata Road
Pune, March 11, 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has announced that it will seek approval from the Forest Department before commencing work on the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata Road. According to officials, the necessary application will be submitted soon.
The road project, which passes through Vetal Tekdi, had been stalled for over 1.5 years due to strong opposition from environmental activists. The Nagrik Chetna Manch had even filed a petition in the High Court against the project. However, the court recently dismissed the petition, clearing the way for the project.
PMC has followed all legal procedures, including incorporating the road into the Development Plan, inviting public objections, and conducting an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The court ruling also mentioned that PMC should obtain Forest and Environmental Department permissions if necessary.
Following consultations with experts, it was concluded that Environmental Department approval is not required, but Forest Department clearance should be sought again, even though it was obtained earlier.
PMC has received a no-objection certificate from the Environmental Department. A proposal for Forest Department approval will be submitted soon.
Budget Allocation for the Project
The Balbharati-Paud Phata Road is estimated to cost ₹252 crore, but the 2025-26 PMC budget has allocated only ₹3 crore for the project. Officials clarified that the budget was finalized before the court ruling, and additional funds will be arranged as work progresses.
