Unused Funds Stall Hill Safety and Conservation Projects in Pune, Claims MLA Rasane
Unused Funds Stall Hill Safety and Conservation Projects in Pune, Claims MLA Rasane
Pune, 22 May, 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s Standing Committee had approved a five-year expenditure plan of ₹26.25 crore for the conservation of hills at Pachgaon-Parvati, Bhamburda, and Warje for the period 2022 to 2027. However, the fund remains unused to date, resulting in a delay in safety and ecological conservation measures on these hills. MLA Hemant Rasane has written to the Municipal Commissioner urging immediate allocation and use of the funds.
Rasane stated, “In 2021, the Standing Committee approved an annual expenditure of ₹5.25 crore, totaling ₹26.25 crore by 2027. But during the tenure of the Commissioner and Administrator, the fund was not utilized. Now, this delay must end, and the funds should be used promptly to ensure conservation and citizen safety. The Joint Forest Management Scheme includes construction of security walls, tree plantation, nurseries, deployment of security personnel, and installation of CCTV systems.”
In a recent incident, a youth was robbed of a gold chain worth ₹1.5 lakh at knife-point while walking on Taljai hill. Earlier, a Korean engineer was similarly robbed on Baner hill. These incidents have reignited serious concerns about safety. Although Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had approved funds for CCTV cameras, panic buttons, and police patrolling, implementation is still lacking, Rasane pointed out.
Rasane said, “In 2006, the Urban Joint Forest Management initiative was launched in Pune with the participation of the Forest Department, PMC, and local citizens. PMC has been providing financial support for this initiative. From 2006 to 2011, ₹10.23 crore was sanctioned, of which ₹9.61 crore was utilized. From 2014 to 2019, ₹4.80 crore was allocated, and only ₹2.31 crore was spent. For the 2022 to 2027 period, ₹26.25 crore has been sanctioned. As the then Standing Committee Chairman, I approved this expenditure policy. However, the fund remained unutilized during administrative rule. It must now be made available urgently.”
