State Committee To Survey Illegal Constructions On Pune’s Hilltops And BDP Zones; One-Month Deadline Set For Report

Pune, 26th April 2025: A comprehensive survey will be conducted to assess the extent of construction on hilltops, slopes, and within the designated Biodiversity Park (BDP) zones in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) areas. This decision was taken during a meeting of a state-appointed committee led by former IAS officer Ramanath Jha.

The committee, which has been given a one-month deadline, is tasked with examining various proposals submitted to the government regarding the reserved BDP areas, hilltops, and slopes. Based on their study, the committee will provide recommendations to the state government. The secretary role within the committee is held by PMC’s city engineer Prashant Waghmare, under whose coordination the meetings are being conducted.

The committee also includes members such as the Municipal Commissioner, PMRDA Commissioner, and the Deputy Director of Town Planning. During the recent meeting, it was decided that a detailed survey will be carried out to determine the current status and number of constructions in the BDP and hilly regions within PMC and PMRDA limits. The survey will be conducted using drones, as clarified by municipal officials.

There had been prior complaints about the absence of elected representatives in the committee. In response, the committee will now seek input from Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), and architects. Separate meetings will be held to gather their perspectives. Additionally, the committee will review any court cases or complaints currently filed regarding the reservations, and will proceed accordingly based on those findings.