Pune: PMC Clears Kothrud Old Age Home Plan Amid Uproar Over Selection of Gravity Welfare Foundation

Pune, 24th June 2026: A proposal to hand over a prime civic amenity plot in Kothrud to Gravity Welfare Foundation for developing and operating an old age home triggered a heated debate in the Pune Municipal Corporation’s General Body meeting on Monday, with opposition corporators questioning the selection process and the organisation’s experience in elderly care.

Despite strong objections from Congress and other opposition members, the ruling BJP cleared the proposal using its numerical majority.

The proposal involves a 3,611.36 sq m amenity plot in Kothrud, which will be leased to Gravity Welfare Foundation for 30 years. As per the plan, 25 per cent of the facility’s capacity will be reserved free of cost for senior citizens recommended by the Municipal Commissioner, while the remaining capacity will be offered at affordable rates. Ownership of the structure will revert to PMC after the lease period ends.

However, opposition corporators raised concerns over the speed of processing and approval of the proposal.

“What are the credentials or experience of the said foundation that the administration got this proposal sanctioned within two to three weeks? Are there no other organisations engaged in similar work? Why was this particular organisation chosen?” asked city Congress president and corporator Prashant Jagtap.

The discussion soon turned into a detailed questioning of the civic administration, with corporators seeking clarity on the foundation’s track record, expertise, and selection criteria.
Leader of the House Ganesh Bidkar sought clarity on PMC’s long-term control over the project.

“If PMC is giving this land for 30 years, the House must know whether the corporation will retain ownership rights over the facility, what authority it will have over its functioning, and whether revenue generated from the project will remain under civic oversight,” Bidkar said.
Responding on behalf of the administration, Sports and Cultural Department head Asha Raut assured the House that PMC’s interests would be fully protected.

“The municipal corporation will retain complete rights over the facility. PMC will have authority over the project and oversight of revenue generated from it. A monitoring committee will also be constituted to ensure that the old age home functions strictly as per the conditions laid down by the corporation,” Raut told the General Body.

However, the assurances failed to satisfy the opposition.

Congress corporator Arvind Shinde directly questioned the foundation’s credentials.
“Who exactly is Gravity Welfare Foundation, and on what basis has it been granted the right to construct and operate an old age home on municipal land? Does the organisation have any prior experience in running such facilities?” Shinde asked.

He added that elderly care is a specialised sector requiring experience, management capability, and sensitivity towards senior citizens.

The issue gained further traction as corporators pointed out that the Gravity Group is primarily known in Pune for its fitness and gym business.
Congress corporator Chandu Kadam questioned the rationale behind the selection.

“Running fitness centres and gyms is entirely different from managing an old age home. Elderly care requires a different set of skills, expertise and commitment. The administration must explain what parameters were used while selecting this organisation,” Kadam said.
NCP corporator Harshavardhan Mankar also raised concerns over the foundation’s capability and past record.

“What experience does Gravity Welfare Foundation have in executing such projects? Has it successfully managed similar facilities before? Before handing over valuable public land, the administration must provide clear answers to citizens,” Mankar said.

Several opposition members echoed similar concerns, insisting that the administration should place the foundation’s credentials and experience on record before granting long-term rights over public land.

The ruling party, however, defended the proposal, stating that adequate safeguards had been incorporated, including PMC ownership rights, monitoring mechanisms, and eventual transfer of the facility back to the civic body.

After a prolonged debate, the proposal was put to vote. While opposition corporators continued to question the selection of Gravity Welfare Foundation, the BJP used its numerical strength in the General Body to secure approval, clearing the project amid lingering concerns over transparency and eligibility.