Pune: PMC Plans Bharat Mandapam in Lohgaon by Scrapping Civic Amenity Reservations, Activists Raise Transparency Concerns

Pune/Lohgaon, 22nd December 2025: A proposal to construct a ‘Bharat Mandapam’ on nearly 30 acres in Lohgaon by scrapping existing civic amenity reservations has triggered strong objections, with citizen groups alleging a lack of transparency by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

According to activists, the PMC plans to cancel reservations in the Development Plan (DP) meant for essential public facilities such as roads, hospitals, gardens and parking spaces in Lohgaon to make way for a Bharat Mandapam project, on the lines of the one developed in Delhi. The move is reportedly based on a letter submitted by a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA.

Sajag Nagrik Manch president Vivek Velankar and environmental expert Sarang Yadavdkar raised these concerns during a press conference on Monday. They said a formal letter has also been submitted to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, demanding that all documents related to the proposed reservation changes be made public and uploaded on the PMC website.

The PMC administration has issued a public notice in the last week of November announcing the proposal to lift reservations in the Lohgaon area for the Bharat Mandapam project. Citizens have been given time till December 28 to submit objections and suggestions. However, activists allege that no detailed information about the project has been shared, making it impossible for residents to respond meaningfully.

“What exactly is this project, who proposed it, how will it be funded, and what will be the impact of cancelling existing reservations—none of this information has been disclosed,” Velankar said.

He added that many local residents are unaware that reservations for public amenities in their area are being removed for this project.

Citizen groups have warned that cancelling reservations will deprive residents of critical infrastructure and civic facilities. They also fear that removing road reservations will make future road widening difficult, leading to increased traffic congestion in Lohgaon and surrounding areas.

Velankar alleged that PMC officials are deliberately withholding information. “If citizens support the project after understanding its details, then it can genuinely move forward. But pushing it through without transparency defeats the purpose of public consultation,” he said.

The activists also questioned why Lohgaon was selected for the project, whether it falls within the jurisdiction of the MLA who proposed it, and whether the views of other elected representatives were considered. They claimed that the administration has refused to provide answers to these questions.

Sajag Nagrik Manch has demanded that all related correspondence, including letters from public representatives, state government directives, and the PMC’s official stance, be made available online for public scrutiny. They have also called for an extension of at least one month to submit objections and suggestions after full disclosure of information.

“Residents and even local legislators have no clarity about these reservation changes. The administration’s silence suggests that the process is being carried out secretly,” Velankar said. “We are not opposing development, but people must understand the consequences of scrapping these reservations.”

The issue is likely to intensify as the December 28 deadline approaches, with transparency, urban planning, Lohgaon development, PMC reservation changes, and Bharat Mandapam project emerging as key concerns in Pune’s civic discourse.