Pune: Activists Demand Strict Action Against Those Involved In Illegal Digging Of Baner-Pashan Hill
Pashan, 24 August 2021: Baner-Balewadi-Pashan villagers and activists have demanded strict action against those involved in Illegal digging and subsequent activities at the foot of Baner Pashan hill. They have written a letter to the Senior Police Inspector of Chatushrungi Police Station under Pune city police regarding this matter.
In the year 2019, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Smart City decided to develop road and the work started accordingly. While working on the road, concerned villagers and environmentalists noticed that some parts of the hill itself started being cut. There is possibility of landslides and danger to the lives of the people in the vicinity.
The citizens and the people’s representatives came together and stopped construction of the road. This was followed by a meeting between the Smart City CEO, Pune Municipal Corporation Road Department, and local Corporators and environmentalists at the Bhimsen Joshi Hall of Pune Municipal Corporation at Aundh. In this meeting, the then Smart City CEO Rajendra Jagtap was present.
After this meeting, it was decided not to break the hill and under 14/4 HG and section 210, and it was decided to make a road of 9 meters or 12 meters width in the space available at the foot of the hill without breaking the hill, the police complaint states.
On 24th August 2021, environmentalists once again noticed the activity and protested against the illegal filling of the hill, demolition of the hill, illegal mining with the help of JCB and Poclain machine, leaving the question, if Smart city and Pune municipal corporation is not involved in this, who is doing this illegal work? They have demanded an investigation and a case should be registered against those involved.
