Pune: PMC Commissioner to Personally Hear Objections Over Proposed Felling of 529 Trees on Ganeshkhind Road
Pune, 7th May 2026: Amid strong opposition from environmental activists over the proposed removal of 529 trees for the widening of Ganeshkhind Road, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has said he will personally hear citizens’ objections before any decision is taken on the proposal.
Environmental groups recently staged a human chain protest after the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) pasted notices and marked trees identified for removal as part of the road widening project along Ganeshkhind Road.
Clarifying the civic administration’s stand, Ram said no proposal related to tree felling has yet reached his office and no approval has been granted so far. He added that objections raised by citizens would be taken seriously and hearings would be conducted before any final decision is made.
At the same time, the commissioner stressed the importance of balancing environmental concerns with the city’s growing infrastructure and development needs.
The issue gained further attention after former MP Vandana Chavan alleged that civic officials were proceeding with the tree-cutting exercise without adequately understanding the rules and regulations related to tree conservation.
Responding to the concerns on Wednesday, Ram reiterated that complaints and objections regarding roadside tree felling would be heard directly by him.
Environmental groups have also alleged that nearly 2,500 trees have been cut across Pune for various development projects, including riverfront improvement works, Pune Metro construction, and road widening activities.
The commissioner said the administration would verify whether tree cutting on such a large scale had actually taken place. He also assured that compensatory plantation and replantation measures would be undertaken after examining citizens’ complaints and conducting proper hearings.
