The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has scrapped its earlier draft Development Plan (DP) and is charting a new course with a vision extending to 2046.
This decision comes in the wake of numerous objections and legal challenges that plagued the previous plan. The revised approach emphasizes the implementation of Town Planning (TP) schemes over the traditional DP model. This shift aims to facilitate more structured and sustainable growth across the Pune Metropolitan Region, which encompasses Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and several surrounding talukas.
A key directive from the state government mandates the inclusion of 18-metre-wide roads in all future planning within PMRDA’s jurisdiction. This move is expected to enhance connectivity and support the region’s rapid urbanization. The PMRDA is also accelerating the development of the Inner Ring Road project, an 83-kilometre corridor designed to alleviate traffic congestion and improve connectivity between major highways. The project includes the construction of 42 connecting roads, 17 bridges, and 10 tunnels, with a dedicated 5-metre-wide space reserved for metro tracks.
Land acquisition for the first phase, covering a 4.7-kilometre stretch from Solu to Vadgaon Shinde, is underway, with the district administration aiming to complete the process within three to four months. The entire project requires approximately 743.41 hectares of land across 44 villages. In addition to infrastructure development, the PMRDA is focusing on essential urban needs such as sanitation, water supply, traffic management, pollution control, sewage, and solid waste management. The authority acknowledges that merely designating zones is insufficient; effective implementation is crucial to achieving sustainable urban growth.
The revised planning approach also includes the evaluation of existing environmental zones, such as Biodiversity Parks and hilltop-hill slope areas, to assess their effectiveness in environmental protection. Strategic decisions will be made to ensure these zones contribute meaningfully to the region’s ecological balance. The PMRDA’s proactive stance reflects a commitment to transforming Pune into a zero-net carbon, eco-friendly, sustainable, gender-neutral, and equitable city. By adopting a comprehensive and forward-looking urban planning strategy, the authority aims to address the challenges of rapid urbanization while preserving the region’s environmental integrity.
As Pune embarks on this ambitious urban transformation, the success of these initiatives will hinge on effective implementation, stakeholder collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to sustainable development principles.
