Pune: PMC Clarifies HCMTR Project Not Cancelled; To Be Implemented in Phases Based on Fund Availability

Pune, 31st October 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday clarified that the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) project has not been cancelled and will be implemented in a phased manner depending on the availability of funds. The clarification came after reports suggested that the civic body had scrapped the ambitious project.

An environment-focused organisation had recently submitted a letter to the Supreme Court claiming that the PMC had cancelled the HCMTR project. Responding to this, the municipal administration reiterated that the project remains part of the city’s long-term development plan aimed at easing traffic congestion.

PMC Additional Commissioner Om Prakash Diwte said, “The Municipal Corporation has not cancelled the project. The HCMTR is an important component of urban development and has been part of the city’s Development Plan (DP) since 1987 to resolve traffic congestion. Only the earlier tender was cancelled because its cost had increased by 45 percent.”

He further explained that as the city continues to expand and vehicle numbers rise, the need for the HCMTR has become even more critical. “The project requires substantial funds and public awareness. Since the Municipal Corporation is currently prioritising other essential works, the HCMTR has been deferred, not cancelled. Implementation will proceed as per the availability of funds and resources,” Diwte added.

According to PMC officials, the 36-km-long circular high-speed corridor will connect various parts of the city, including the stretch from Balbharati to Paud Phata near Doon. The project is expected to provide significant relief to motorists travelling across Pune.

Of the total land required for the project, 50 percent is already under PMC’s ownership, another 50 percent belongs to the government, and only about 25 percent remains to be acquired.

Environment activists and several citizen groups have opposed the project citing ecological concerns and loss of green cover. Some of them had even sought an adjournment of the work in court.

However, PMC maintained that the project continues to be part of the sanctioned Development Plan and will move forward once financial and legal hurdles are addressed.

“If funds are available, the project will be started by taking possession of the remaining land,” said Diwte.