The Pune Metropolitan Region is moving into a new phase of long-term spatial planning as authorities prepare a Development Plan (DP) for 117 villages located around the upcoming Pune Ring Road. Officials confirmed that the groundwork, including drone-led land-use surveys, has been completed and the draft DP will be submitted to the state government within two years. The blueprint is expected to shape future growth by earmarking zones for logistics, industry, education, and essential public amenities.
The villages—spread across Haveli, Mulshi, Bhor, Velhe, and Purandar—cover roughly 668 sq km and fall under the planning oversight of the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The mandate was assigned after the launch of the Pune Ring Road project, which is expected to significantly transform travel patterns, development pressure, and land values in the wider region. According to officials, the creation of a DP aims to ensure that development around the highway corridor is coordinated rather than fragmented. A key part of the survey involved assessing existing physical and social infrastructure, including roads, open spaces, water sources, and community facilities. Drone mapping was used to identify land-use gaps, encroachments, and reservations for amenities such as playgrounds and public utilities. An official said the collected data will help design a “future-ready development pattern” that is compatible with the expected population rise in the next two decades.
In line with this population increase, the DP proposes dedicated land allocation for essential services such as water treatment plants, sewage systems, fire stations, tourism infrastructure, and burial grounds. Special emphasis is being placed on river protection, with proposals to set up decentralised sewage treatment units to prevent untreated waste from flowing into natural waterways. Experts note that this approach aligns with ongoing efforts to create eco-sensitive and climate-resilient growth models for cities and peri-urban regions. The upcoming ring road is also expected to influence industrial and educational expansion. Where industrial clusters already exist, authorities plan to designate full-fledged industrial hubs with integrated infrastructure. Given the strategic location of most villages along state and national highway arteries, planners are reserving land for logistics parks, transport terminals, and universities. An official explained that early zoning will ensure that heavy traffic generated by industrial and educational activities does not spill into residential areas, thereby supporting safer and more liveable settlements.
Road widening is another major element of the plan. Depending on the surrounding built environment, new roads of 18, 24, and 30 metres are proposed to accommodate the rising volume of private and commercial vehicles. Urban planners suggest that such upfront planning could help avoid the congestion and unplanned sprawl seen in many growing Indian cities. While the DP is still in its early stages, stakeholders believe it offers an opportunity to embed sustainability and inclusivity principles into the region’s long-term growth. By integrating mobility, housing, industry, and environmental safeguards into one framework, authorities aim to create a more resilient and equitable development pathway for the expanding metropolitan region.
Pune To Develop 117 Villages With Educational Institutions And Industrial Hubs
