10 Years, But Where Is the Progress? PMRDA Faces Questions Over Pune Region Planning

Pune, 8th September 2026: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) needs a comprehensive review of its functioning and powers as the authority has allegedly failed to make expected progress in planned development and infrastructure over the past decade, Metropolitan Planning Committee member Vasant Bhase said on Tuesday.

Bhase, speaking at a press conference alongside Nagari Hakka Sanstha’s Sudhirkaka Kulkarni and advocate Umesh Tare, alleged that PMRDA had made inadequate progress on key planning initiatives, including the Development Plan (DP) and Town Planning (TP) schemes, as well as basic infrastructure such as roads, water supply and electricity.

“The traffic congestion and infrastructure problems in Chakan and Hinjewadi, which recently prompted industrialists to protest, highlight the need for better planning in the region. There is a need to reconsider the functioning and powers of PMRDA,” Bhase said.

The speakers said PMRDA was established to facilitate planned development in areas surrounding Pune. However, they questioned whether the authority had adequately fulfilled its broader urban and regional planning responsibilities beyond granting construction permissions.

They called for greater emphasis on long-term infrastructure planning, including coordinated development of transport, water supply, electricity and other civic infrastructure.

Advocate Umesh Tare said the Metropolitan Planning Committee had approached the court in connection with PMRDA’s Development Plan and structural plan. He claimed that the court had sought clarification on aspects of the structural plan and issues concerning the Development Plan.

Tare also sought a review of PMRDA’s status as a Special Planning Authority (SPA) and its powers relating to structural planning. He suggested reconsidering the role of the Town Planning Department and district administration in development planning and building permission-related matters.

The speakers further called for a review of the SPA status granted to various townships in the Pune metropolitan region to determine whether they have complied with applicable rules and fulfilled their responsibilities.

Kulkarni alleged that PMRDA’s functioning had remained largely focused on granting construction permissions, while long-term urban planning and infrastructure development had received insufficient attention. He said several representations had been submitted to the authorities regarding these concerns but, according to him, had not received an adequate response.

Kulkarni also alleged that political differences and a lack of coordination among senior government officials had contributed to the situation.

The speakers demanded a legal review of PMRDA’s functioning and appropriate action based on its findings. They also called for greater involvement of the Metropolitan Planning Committee in future planning and development decisions concerning the Pune metropolitan region.

The demands come amid continuing concerns over infrastructure, traffic congestion and urban growth in rapidly developing areas such as Hinjewadi and Chakan, which have emerged as major residential and employment hubs in the Pune metropolitan region.