Pune: Kasba MLA Dhangekar Opposes Balbharati-Paud Phata Road Project, Demands Better Options
Pune, 24th March 2023: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is facing opposition from environmentalists and citizens over the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata road. Now Kasba Assembly MLA Ravindra Dhangekar has also voiced his concerns. Despite being in the final stages of floating a tender, the PMC has yet to receive final approval from guardian minister Chandrakant Patil.
The consultant appointed to review the project has suggested alternatives to minimize environmental damage. Dhangekar has urged for the viability of the project to be assessed and questioned whether it will decongest traffic.
He claims that citizens have reported the road as useless, stating there will be no respite from traffic bottlenecks even after the road is constructed. Dhangekar opposes unplanned development and is calling for all parties involved, including citizens, to be convinced that it is for the betterment of the city before any project is approved. Dhangekar is also concerned about the damage to the hills and natural habitat that would result from the road construction, noting that the city has already been damaged beyond repair. He is willing to do whatever it takes to save the hills and green cover, but acknowledges that minor environmental damage may be acceptable if it is compensated.
However, he insists that for every tree that is removed, at least 6-8 trees should be planted and maintained for a minimum of three years. He will take to the streets if the PMC decides to proceed with the project without providing a satisfactory alternative that prioritizes saving the natural environment. Dhangekar concludes by saying that damage to the hills would be permanent and the proposed project would cause significant damage. He is against the damage to the hill and will stop the project at any cost, even if it means protesting on the streets. If a satisfactory justification of the project’s impact on the environment and traffic congestion is not received by April 15th, he will raise the issue in the state assembly.
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