Pune: PMC to Appoint Consultant for Balbharti-Paud Phata Road Project After Court Directs Environment Clearance
Pune, 17th October 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will appoint a consultant to obtain the required environmental clearance before beginning work on the proposed Balbharti to Paud Phata road, following a Supreme Court directive. PMC officials will inspect the road today (Friday) as part of preparations for the project.
The proposed 100-foot road aims to ease traffic congestion between Senapati Bapat Road and the Kothrud area, currently forcing commuters to use the narrower ILS Law College Road, which often experiences heavy traffic.
The project faced legal challenges from Dr. Sushma Date and the ILS Law College administration, who argued that the road would harm the Vetal Hill environment, including its trees, wildlife, and natural habitat.
The Supreme Court ruled that approval from the Environment Department must be obtained before construction begins.
Speaking on the matter, PMC City Engineer Prashant Waghmare said, “We will appoint a consultant to coordinate with the Environment Department. Efforts will be made to obtain permission within two months.”
The proposed road will be approximately two kilometers long, with a combination of ground-level and elevated sections. The elevated portion is designed to minimize damage to the hill and reduce tree cutting. The municipal administration emphasizes that the project is planned to avoid breaking the hill, addressing key environmental concerns.
The PMC had earlier filed a caveat in the Supreme Court to prevent any stay on the project in case of objections from environmentalists. Once completed, the road is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion and save travel time for commuters traveling between Balbharti and Paud Phata.
