Pune Ring Road Land Acquisition Nears Completion Under the Supervision of Collector Rajesh Deshmukh
Pune, 6th February 2024: Under the leadership of Pune District Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh, the critical land acquisition process for the Pune Ring Road project has progressed swiftly, marking its final stages. With an allocation of Rs. 2,625 crore for compensation, the initiative stands as a significant milestone in the district’s development agenda.
The necessity for a comprehensive ring road around Pune emerged from the burgeoning traffic congestion stemming from vehicles traversing through neighbouring areas such as Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Sangli, Kolhapur, Saswad, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Nashik, Mangaon, Konkan, and Mumbai. This incessant flow posed a strain on intra-city traffic dynamics and led to escalated air and noise pollution levels. Consequently, the decision to construct a ring road encircling Pune was endorsed by the government on July 14, 2015.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) was entrusted with the project’s execution, bifurcating it into East and West phases. Despite facing opposition from residents regarding land measurements, Collector Dr Rajesh Deshmukh diligently engaged with stakeholders, elucidating the project’s significance. This proactive engagement expedited the joint enumeration process, wherein economic benefits were articulated to landowners, fostering mutual understanding.
Acquiring land from approximately 84 villages across six talukas presented a formidable challenge. Rates were initially fixed for lands susceptible to diverse floods and subsequently revised by government directives dated January 24, 2023. Ensuring landowner satisfaction remained paramount throughout the process.
In the first phase, notices were issued to landholders from 32 villages along the Pune (West) Ring Road, facilitating consent options. Notably, a dedicated Land Acquisition Cell was established to streamline compensation distribution post-consent. Subsequent phases witnessed the completion of land acquisition decisions and the subsequent transfer process.
Tariff determination for 48 villages along the East Ring Road has been finalized, with compensation disbursal underway in select villages. Notably, Rs. 2,625 crore has been deposited into landowners’ bank accounts, marking the highest-ever compensation allocation for public projects in the district.
The expeditious completion of the first phase within a year, encompassing joint enumeration, rate determination, consultation, and compensation allocation, reflects the commitment to project efficacy. Dr. Deshmukh’s steadfast leadership, bolstered by the concerted efforts of concerned officers and departmental cooperation, has propelled the project towards imminent realization.
