Pune: Kothrud Residents Rally Against MIT-WPU Construction on Vetal Tekdi
Kothrud, 24th April 2025: Concerned over the rapid urbanization around Vetal Tekdi, over 250 residents from Kothrud gathered over the weekend to protest against ongoing construction by MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU). Citizens fear that the project threatens the fragile ecosystem of the hill, home to dozens of peacocks, and further strains already burdened civic infrastructure.
The demonstrators — including schoolchildren, senior citizens, and environmental activists — marched up to the gates of the university campus, raising slogans and calling for an immediate stop to the expansion work. The gathering, held near Sigma One Society, spotlighted residents’ long-standing grievances about unchecked development in the area.
“We’ve watched our green cover shrink over the past few years,” said a member of the Citizens’ Forum for Ward 11. “Now, bulldozers are clearing out what little remains. Trees are being cut, and the peacocks have started to disappear. This is not just a legal issue — it’s an ecological one.”
Residents alleged that the construction violates the biodiversity park (BDP) reservation norms and hilltop-hillslope regulations. They claim the ongoing excavation activities risk damaging underground aquifers and could increase the likelihood of urban flooding during monsoons.
Local communities also raised alarm over a sharp rise in student population — from 5,000 to over 22,000 in just five years — attributing traffic snarls, parking chaos, water shortages, and pedestrian safety issues to the university’s growth.
“Footpaths are now occupied by parked vehicles. Children and the elderly are forced to walk on the road,” said a long-time resident of the area. “We are not against education. But development must be sustainable and considerate of the locals who’ve lived here for decades.”
In response, MIT-WPU has dismissed the allegations. The university maintains that the land under development is a legally sanctioned residential plot being used to construct a new studio facility, not student housing.
“These claims are completely baseless,” said Ganesh Pokale, registrar at MIT-WPU. “There is no environmental violation. The construction is not causing any undue strain on public infrastructure. We are committed to following all statutory guidelines.” The university also warned that it may pursue legal action if what it termed “false information” continues to be circulated.
Despite the clarification, residents remain unconvinced. Many have urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to step in, reassess the permissions granted, and ensure accountability from both the university and civic bodies.
As tensions continue to simmer, citizens are preparing to escalate their campaign if their concerns remain unaddressed.
“If the authorities don’t act now, we fear this will set a dangerous precedent. Hilltops will become campuses, and forests will become parking lots”, the residents said.
