Pune Could See 6.5 Crore Sq Ft of New Construction in Four Years, Putting Pressure on Civic Infrastructure
Pune, 4th September 2026: Pune is expected to see nearly 6.5 crore sq ft of new construction over the next four years, putting increasing pressure on the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to expand infrastructure and keep pace with the city’s rapid growth.
PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said the volume of construction proposals being approved indicates the scale of development expected in the coming years. He said the PMC’s High-Rise Building Committee clears proposals involving around 50 lakh to 60 lakh sq ft of construction in a single meeting.
“Considering the construction proposals being approved, nearly 6.5 crore sq ft of construction is expected in Pune city and its suburbs over the next four years,” Ram said.
The upcoming development is expected to include residential projects, IT centres, data centres and other commercial developments. The expansion of built-up areas and the resulting increase in population will further raise demand for roads, water supply, drainage, sewage networks and other civic services.
Ram said the PMC would need to accelerate infrastructure projects to ensure civic facilities keep pace with construction activity.
“If infrastructure does not develop along with construction, the city could face serious traffic congestion and may also struggle to attract new industries,” he said.
Focus on major road projects
The PMC is prioritising major connectivity projects to prepare for Pune’s future growth. These include the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR), the proposed ring road and roads identified under the Development Plan (DP).
Ram said completing these projects would improve connectivity between different parts of the city and help manage the additional traffic generated by new development.
High-rise construction on the rise
The implementation of the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) has enabled developers to use additional FSI and increased TDR in eligible areas, contributing to a rise in high-rise construction across Pune.
Construction activity has also increased in the newly merged villages, where vacant land is being developed for residential projects. In the old city areas, several old wadas are being demolished and replaced with new buildings.
The rapid pace of development is placing additional pressure on existing civic infrastructure. Roads, footpaths and sewage networks in several areas may not be adequate to cater to the additional population and traffic generated by new construction.
Land acquisition delays DP roads
Land acquisition for DP roads, particularly in suburban areas, remains one of the major challenges before the PMC. Several proposed roads have yet to be handed over to the civic body due to delays in acquiring the required land.
Ram said many private landowners seek cash compensation for their properties, making the acquisition process more difficult and delaying road projects. As a result, several suburban areas continue to rely on narrow existing roads, contributing to traffic congestion.
The commissioner said road widening and completing missing links between major roads would be essential as Pune continues to expand.
The PMC is therefore planning greater coordination among its road, construction and land acquisition departments to expedite infrastructure projects and ensure that the city’s physical infrastructure keeps pace with its rapid construction growth.
