How a bar becomes the site of a discussion about a 40-year PMC project
This informal gathering aims to bridge the gap between complex civic data and the community’s urgent fight for livability and groundwater preservation.
There was one hitch – the project would have a definite environmental implication since most of the road would cut through the green slopes of Vetal Tekdi.
Since then, citizen’s groups, locals and environmentalists have been protesting while the PMC has tried to get clearances needed to push forward with the project. The case has done the rounds in courts and united thousands of people who want to save the tekdi. This year marks 40 years of the proposal to build the BB-PP.
Though not planned as an event to observe the anniversary, an event, “The Curious Case of PMC and the BB-PP Road” will bring a group of people together at the vibrant Wynkk Kitchen and Bar in Aundh on April 30. Over the evening, they will be acquainted with the meandering events and layered significance of the Vetal Tekdi, the BB-PP and the need to have greater respect for the city’s remaining green covers. For a few hours, the usual pub banter will be replaced by statistics, science and the struggle to protect a way of life in Pune.
Sumita Kale at a 2023 rally.
Standing before the group, with slides and stories, will be economist Sumita Kale, one of the public faces of the protest. The Curious Case of PMC and the BB-PP Road is a part of Knowledge on Tap, a monthly series of talks with experts over drinks and nibbles on the last Thursday of every month, 6:30pm, at Wynkk.
“We cannot separate science and life in silos. Everybody needs to know the scientific evidence that shows how road proposals on the tekdi like the BB-PP, are impacting our lives. We will talk about urban planning, how decisions are taken in the city and the impact on our livability,” says Kale. This is the first time that she is participating in such an event at a pub.
One of the points that Kale will touch upon is how the BB-PP project “does not really achieve anything much for traffic but does permanent irreparable damage to our green space and ground water resources”. “By PMC’s own stats, there will be a five-minute reduction in time for most traffic, assuming that you just go from one side to the other side. And they are forgetting the congestion that is going to come at the junctions. So, what are they actually trying to achieve?” she asks. The sweaty, sweltering heat in Pune in April bolsters her arguments – the city needs more green cover. The heat and water stress we feel is real.
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Knowledge of Tap (KnOT) was started last year by a group, comprising Navin Kabra, Ashish Kulkarni, Ravishankar Iyer, Nagaraj Balasubramanian and Shrikant Patil, as a monthly series of talks with experts. Since the first talk, on beer and alcohol, the talks have attracted houseful audiences to engage with experts in an informal way and have a cerebral evening.
“We have had sessions on history and music, we have had a theatre person who is also an AI professional. If you have events that are like formal presentations, it might become boring. But, if we do it in a different format in a different location, from context, then the chances of people connecting are higher. If you make it a series and try to build a community around that, people come because of the community,” says Kabra.
Kulkarni adds, “Communities and in-person events are important. KnOT is our attempt to get both these things to happen.”
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More
Sumita Kale at a 2023 rally.