Pune: Vetal Tekdi Activists Consider Supreme Court Appeal After PMC’s Balbharati-Paud Phata Road Gets HC Nod
Pune, 24th February 2025: The Bombay High Court has ruled against interfering in the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) affairs regarding the controversial Balbharati (Senapati Bapat Road) to Paud Phata (Kothrud) road project. The court dismissed a petition challenging the project, stating that it could not intervene in the PMC’s functioning.
In response to this development, the Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti has announced plans to review its legal options. The samiti will hold discussions in the coming days to decide whether to pursue further legal action in the Supreme Court or adopt a protest-based approach.
The proposed road, which is part of the PMC’s Development Plan (DP), aims to connect Kothrud and SB Road. Starting from Balbharati and passing through Vetal Hill, the road is designed to alleviate traffic congestion in the area. The project, estimated to cost Rs 252.13 crore, has faced opposition from environmentalists who argue it would cause ecological damage.
The High Court’s decision comes after the Nagari Chetana Manch filed a petition against the project. In its ruling, the court noted that the PMC had followed proper procedures and rejected the petition. This verdict is expected to accelerate the road construction process.
Prajakta Panshikar, a member of the Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti, stated that the petition had highlighted flaws in the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR). The Samiti maintains that the PMC should demonstrate how the road serves the public interest.
