Pune: Viman Nagar Citizens Demand PMC Action to Widen VIP Airport Road to 30 Metres as Per DP
Viman Nagar, 3rd June 2025: Citing years of negligence and lack of planning, the Viman Nagar Citizens Forum has urged the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate and decisive steps to widen the VIP Airport Road to 30 metres as mandated in the Development Plan (DP) of 1987. Citizens allege that the civic body has failed to acquire land for road widening despite having more than three decades to act.
Qaneez Sukhrani, Convenor of the Viman Nagar Citizens Forum, said, “PMC cannot hide behind the excuse of lack of funds. They’ve had since 1987 to acquire the necessary land. Their inaction has only worsened congestion and compromised safety on one of Pune’s most critical arterial roads.”
Citizens Flag PMC’s Laxity in Enforcing DP Norms
According to RTI replies received by Sukhrani, the current road width on most stretches of VIP Airport Road is only around 18.3 metres, despite the DP mandating a width of 30 metres. “This gap between planning and execution has created a dangerous bottleneck, especially with the rise in air traffic and vehicular pressure in the area,” Sukhrani said.
The RTI responses also reveal that PMC’s Building Permission and Land Acquisition departments have not initiated formal acquisition processes. In contrast, PMC’s DP department confirmed that the required road width is indeed 30 metres for VIP Airport Road and Mhada Road.
“It is unacceptable that PMC has neither pursued land acquisition nor enforced setback transfer from buildings under construction or already built. Notices have been issued, but follow-up is missing because violators have taken legal shelter. Was PMC’s building department asleep when these properties were leased and misused?” Sukhrani questioned.
Call for Action Against Illegal Workshops and Traffic Violations
Adding to the infrastructure stress are several vehicle repair workshops encroaching on VIP Airport Road. Citizens allege that at least 19 such workshops, operating from leased properties, are using public carriageways for vehicle movement and parking.
Sukhrani added, “The traffic police must act firmly against illegally parked taxicabs, autos, and private vehicles on these narrow roads. Wrong-side driving is rampant. These violations are not just traffic issues—they are safety hazards.”
Airport Expansion Adding to Congestion
The situation has worsened since the opening of Terminal 2 of the Pune Airport, which has significantly increased vehicular movement through Viman Nagar. With nearly 300 flights operating daily, the road’s inadequate width frequently leads to traffic snarls and long delays for flyers.
“The road cannot bear the load of current traffic. Flyers are stuck in avoidable jams due to PMC’s failure to implement its own development plan,” Sukhrani pointed out.
Forum Demands Action, Offers Solutions
The citizens’ forum has recommended that PMC acquire the required land through compensation or Transfer of Development Rights (TDR). “If builders do not cooperate, PMC should approach the Collector for forced acquisition,” said Sukhrani.
The forum has also urged the civic body to take similar steps for other narrow roads in Viman Nagar, which have not been widened despite rapid urban development, including the rise of residential projects, IT parks, and educational institutions.
“This is not just about one road—it’s about urban planning, citizen safety, and civic accountability. If PMC cannot protect the interests of law-abiding residents, then who will?” Sukhrani questioned.
The Viman Nagar Citizens Forum has submitted the RTI responses, photographs of encroachments, and communication logs as supporting documents to highlight the urgency of the issue.
