Around 2,000 families in Bhugaon’s Forest Trails township are spearheading a battle for accountability against their developer and local authorities, accusing them of widespread infrastructural and environmental violations. They allege encroachment on common roads, non‑compliance with green space norms, unstable power supply, misuse of affordable housing provisions, misleading promotions, and unchecked construction—all reportedly supported by collusion with governmental bodies.
At the heart of the issue lies a formal complaint lodged with the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), detailing alleged illegalities by the developer. Residents point out that, under the Township Act and environmental clearances, around 36 acres of the 190‑acre development should be dedicated to parks and green areas. Yet, they contend only one acre currently serves that purpose, the rest being urban built‑up zones. They further claim critical infrastructure promises remain unfulfilled—specifically, land for a separate electricity sub‑station and a dedicated sewage treatment plant, which has led to frequent outages and environmental risks . Senior residents, including a former central government finance secretary, have joined the protest with demands for immediate restoration of green cover, stable power access with resident compensation, strict adherence to environmental conditions, and a halt on further sales and construction pending compliance .
From the developer’s standpoint, Paranjape Constructions has dismissed the allegations as a smear campaign by a “few harassers”. The company’s spokesperson asserted all infrastructure complies with Township Act guidelines, environmental concerns are exaggerated, and arrangements like planting over 30,000 trees are in place. They stress that no rule violations have occurred and warn of impending defamation suits . The PMRDA has acknowledged receipt of the complaints and confirmed that an initial inspection was conducted earlier this year. Further action is promised; however, a planned follow‑up visit was reportedly rescheduled at short notice .Residents maintain that, despite having officially petitioned and participated in a January 2025 hearing—including presenting evidence in power‑point form—there has been little to no remedial action . Environmental advocates argue that the situation illustrates systemic challenges in developing eco‑friendly urban spaces, particularly when public agencies fail to enforce conditions tied to sustainable infrastructure. Under existing statutes, infrastructure developers are mandated to hand over plots for electricity substations, water‑supply grids, sewage treatment, hospitals and community spaces prior to project launch. Failure to do so may invalidate permissions .
Local campaigners emphasise the link between access to green cover, reliable basic services, and residents’ quality of life—issues intrinsic to equitable, zero‑carbon urban living. This case could set a nationwide precedent for how urban sustainability is interpreted by builders, planners and regulators alike. While the township’s promoters commit to legal defences and continued development, the PMRDA stands at a crossroads: continue permitting ongoing construction, or revoke approvals to uphold environmental and zoning laws. For the city at large, this moment transcends Forest Trails. It poses crucial questions about the role of governance in championing sustainable, equitable, and transparent urban growth.
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