A citizens’ group has opposed Pune’s proposed High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTMR) project, alleging that the municipal administration has not provided adequate information about the transport system, its design or its likely effects on the city.
The Pune HCMTMR Citizens’ Action Committee raised its concerns during a meeting with Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, according to a report by Loksatta. The committee said citizens had not been given clear details about the exact form of the project or the transport facilities that would be developed under it.
The proposed project is intended to play an important role in addressing Pune’s traffic congestion. However, the committee alleged that the administration had not clearly explained how the route would be planned, what technical features it would include or how it would affect residents. It also raised concerns about the project’s possible social and environmental impacts, as well as its implications for heritage sites.
The committee has asked the Pune Municipal Corporation to place an official, transparent and detailed plan before citizens. Its demands include information on the project’s planning process, design, technical specifications and expected effects on the city. The group also called for detailed discussions with residents and for the administration to respond to questions raised by citizens.
The delegation asked Commissioner Ram to provide clarity on the proposed transport arrangement and explain how the project would address Pune’s mobility challenges. The committee said public discussion was necessary before the project advances, particularly because residents do not yet have sufficient information about its structure and possible consequences.
Dr Prajakta Divekar, Pratap Rawal, Mahipal Patwardhan, Narendra Thatte, Kaniz Sukhrani, Makarand Shende and Rajiv Sawant were among those present during the meeting, along with other committee members. The report did not include a detailed response from the municipal commissioner or specify a date for the release of the project plan or for further public consultations.
