Pune: Collector Temporarily Halts Land Measurement For Inner Ring Road Amid Opposition From Maval Farmers
Pune, 5th November 2026: Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi has temporarily halted the land measurement process for the proposed inner ring road in Maval following strong opposition from farmers whose agricultural land is likely to be affected by the project.
At a meeting held at the collector’s office, farmers from seven villages — Nere, Sangavade, Darumbre, Salumbre, Dumbre, Dhamane and Parandwadi — demanded that the proposed alignment be changed to avoid passing through fertile agricultural land. They cited the realignment of the Marunji-Gahunje road, allegedly undertaken to benefit builders, and demanded a similar change in the proposed ring road alignment in favour of farmers.
The meeting was convened by Dudi to hear the objections and concerns of farmers affected by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (PMRDA) proposed project. MLA Sunil Shelke, former minister of state Bala Bhegde, land acquisition officer Dr Vanshree Labsetwar, sub-divisional officer Surendra Navale, Maval tehsildar Vikram Deshmukh and representatives of the seven villages were present.
During the meeting, officials explained the benefits of the proposed road and assured farmers that no injustice would be done to them. The land acquisition officer also briefed the gathering about demands raised during village-level meetings and misconceptions surrounding the project.
However, farmers objected to the administration’s explanation, clarifying that they had not come seeking compensation or financial benefits. Some even stood up to walk out of the meeting. The discussion resumed after Shelke intervened.
Several farmers then explained why they opposed the proposed alignment. Farmer Suryakant Sorte demanded that the route be changed, citing the earlier realignment of the Marunji-Gahunje road.
Rohan Jagtap highlighted discrepancies in the zoning-related information provided by the authorities and explained how the proposed alignment would adversely affect farmers. He also presented objections submitted by farmers, resolutions passed at gram sabhas and details of an alternative route.
Representatives of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, including Popat Rakshe, Ramnath Garade, Rambhau Sawant, Kantilal Sorte, Atul Garade and Pradeep Sawant, also raised objections.
Taking note of the strong opposition from farmers, Dudi announced a temporary suspension of the land measurement process for the proposed inner ring road.
