Pune: PCMC’s Development Plan Faces Flood of Objections with Six Days Left for Submission

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 5th July 2025: The revised draft development plan (DP) for Pimpri-Chinchwad has received a massive response from citizens, with over 18,500 objections submitted so far. The deadline for submitting objections is 14th July, leaving just six working days excluding public holidays. Since the plan’s publication on 14th May, it has sparked protests and discussions in the state legislature.

The comprehensive draft development plan was prepared by the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Town Development Authority (PCNTDA) in collaboration with the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), based on the projected population for 2041. The plan covers an area of 173.24 square kilometers encompassing 28 villages in the city. Prepared by a Gujarat-based firm, the plan includes reservations for various projects, public services, and amenities. Despite the absence of an official “red zone” map from central, defense, or district authorities, PCMC has demarcated red zone boundaries and proposed multiple reservations accordingly.

Many reservations have been placed even in areas where building permissions were already granted, triggering objections. The majority of objections pertain to proposed roads, large projects, commercial complexes, and reduction of green spaces in localities such as Chikhali, High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR), Moshi’s slaughterhouse area, Thergaon, Walhekarwadi, and Rahatani. Complaints also include overlapping reservations, and reservations imposed on agricultural and industrial lands without apparent need. The ruling party’s three local MLAs have opposed the plan, and the issue has been debated in the legislative assembly.

To address the objections, a seven-member committee was initially appointed, comprising four experts, PCMC commissioner, and two corporators. However, due to the absence of corporators, the commissioner will now oversee a five-member committee. This committee will review the objections over the next two months to determine their validity and suggest possible modifications. Following this process, the final plan will be sent to the state government for approval, according to Prasad Gaikwad, Deputy Director of the PCMC’s Town Planning Department.

Objections are being accepted at the commissioner’s office on the fourth floor of the municipal building, the town planning department on the ground floor, and the special planning authority office in Kharalwadi. With just six days remaining to submit objections, authorities urge citizens to participate actively in shaping the city’s future development.