Pune: Shiv Sena Leader Nana Bhangire Opposes Bharat Mandapam Convention Center Project in Lohgaon
Pune/Lohgaon, 24th March 2026: Pramod (Nana) Bhangire, the Shiv Sena Pune City Chief and former Corporator, has officially registered a formal protest against the proposed “Bharat Mandapam” Convention Center project in the Lohgaon area. In a letter addressed to the Pune Municipal Commissioner, Naval Kishore Ram, on March 23, 2026, Bhangire raised serious technical and administrative objections, calling for the project’s immediate stay and cancellation.
Violation of Land Reservations
The primary contention revolves around the plots identified for the project—Survey Nos. 236 and 238 in Lohgaon. According to the current Development Plan (DP), these plots are specifically reserved for essential public amenities, including:
Public Market (Mandai) and Hospital
Gardens and Playgrounds
Parking facilities and Water Supply infrastructure
Bhangire argued that repurposing these plots for a large-scale commercial convention center is “planning-less” and directly infringes upon the fundamental rights of local citizens who rely on these reserved amenities.
Concerns over Infrastructure and Environment
The Shiv Sena leader highlighted a lack of transparency regarding mandatory technical evaluations. The letter questions whether the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has conducted:
Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA): Expressing fears of severe traffic congestion, Bhangire noted that the carrying capacity of existing roads has not been studied for such a high-density project.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): There is no clarity on how the project will affect the local ecosystem.
Utility Strain: The letter warns of an excessive burden on the area’s water supply, electricity, and other civic services.
Lack of Transparency and Public Consultation
The protest further emphasizes that the legal procedures required under the Regional and Town Planning Act have not been visibly followed. Bhangire claimed that no public hearings or consultations were held with local residents, housing societies, or stakeholders.
“The proposal for the ‘Bharat Mandapam’ Convention Center is technically incomplete and administratively flawed,” the letter states. “Taking such a decision without considering long-term urban planning will create grave problems for future urban management and adversely affect the daily lives of citizens.”
Demands
Bhangire has demanded that:
The project be stayed and canceled immediately.
All technical reports, traffic studies, and approval documents be made public and transparent.
No further progress be made on the proposal until citizens’ interests and sustainable urban development are guaranteed.
