Proposal for Town Planning Scheme in Mundhwa Rejected by Pune Municipal Corporation
Pune, 7th March 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) proposal to implement a Town Planning (TP) scheme in the Mundhwa area has been shelved following its rejection by the City Improvement Committee yesterday. The decision has sparked discussions within the PMC about whether the move was driven by policy considerations or other factors.
The TP scheme was proposed to address the lack of planned development in key areas of Mundhwa, which were included in the city’s development plan approved in 2017. Former corporator Umesh Gaikwad had written to PMC administration urging the implementation of this scheme to ensure comprehensive development of the area. In response, PMC officials presented the proposal for approval.
Under the proposal, the TP scheme would have covered a total area of 7.5 lakh square meters in Mundhwa. Of this, 1.73 lakh square meters were already designated for approved construction projects, while allocations were made for roads (1.1 lakh square meters), reserved spaces (43,500 square meters), and industrial zones (11,800 square meters). The scheme aimed to facilitate planned road development and alleviate traffic congestion in the area, which has been exacerbated by resistance from certain landowners.
Additionally, with Hadapsar Railway Station being developed as a terminus to ease congestion at Pune Railway Station, authorities anticipated increased traffic in Mundhwa. This prompted the administration to propose the TP scheme as a solution for streamlined urban growth. However, during yesterday’s meeting, PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale decided to cancel the proposal and file it away.
This decision contrasts with earlier directives from former municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar, who advocated for smaller TP schemes in the city’s extended limits. Such schemes were seen as beneficial for both residents and administrative efficiency. Despite these recommendations, implementation lagged, and the sudden presentation of this proposal followed by its dismissal has raised questions.
