Pune: Police HQ Plan in Tathawade Threatens 11 Lakh Trees, Maval MP Shrirang Barne Urges CM to Reconsider Land Allotment Decision

Tathawade, 4th July 2026: Shiv Sena MP from Maval Shrirang Barne has urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to reconsider the proposed allotment of land in Tathawade for the Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissioner’s office, arguing that the project could lead to the felling of nearly 11 lakh trees planted on the site.

In a memorandum submitted to the chief minister on Friday, Barne requested the state government to identify an alternative location, suggesting that 50 acres from the land earlier allotted to the Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA) in Tathawade could instead be earmarked for the police headquarters.

According to Barne, the state government has decided to allot around 50 acres of land belonging to the Animal Husbandry Department at Valumata in Tathawade for the police commissioner’s office. He, however, said the environmental impact of the decision had not been adequately assessed.

The MP said around 11 lakh trees have been planted on the land through a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative funded by Hyundai and implemented by Vanarai Foundation. He added that the land, which was earlier used for agriculture, also has a large number of mature and naturally grown trees.

“Constructing buildings or developing grounds by cutting such a large number of trees would be environmentally damaging. Preserving green spaces has become essential in view of rising pollution levels,” Barne said.

He pointed out that the police commissionerate could instead be accommodated on other government land available within its jurisdiction. As another alternative, he suggested utilising 50 acres from the 75-acre parcel allotted to YASHADA in Tathawade, claiming the land has remained unused for the past eight to ten years.

Barne also alleged that YASHADA had leased the land to Maha Metro, and said reallocating a part of it for the police headquarters would protect the existing green cover while meeting the project’s requirements.

The MP further proposed that the remaining 67 hectares of Animal Husbandry Department land in the area should continue to remain under government ownership but its maintenance and management be entrusted to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. He suggested developing the site into a large Central Park to provide the city with a major green public space, promote environmental conservation and preserve the area’s biodiversity for future generations.

He urged the chief minister to conduct a site inspection, carry out an independent assessment of the number of trees on the land, seek the opinion of environmental experts and consider the views of local residents before taking a final decision.

“I have no objection to land being allotted for the police commissioner’s office. However, nearly 11 lakh trees have been planted on this land and preserving them is vital at a time of rising pollution. I have requested the chief minister to consider allotting 50 acres from the land given to YASHADA instead,” Barne said.