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HC directs Pune civic body to complete Baner-Pashan link road in six months

In 2021, the petitioner had sought court direction to complete the incomplete portion of road, 200 meters of 1.2 km long 36-meter-wide Baner Pashan Link Road in a time-bound manner.

PCMC’s move to a fully digital work environment has eliminated the use of physical files entirely, making it one of the few municipal bodies in India to achieve this scale of integration, the administration said. (File Photo)

After the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) failed to construct the 200-metre stretch of the 1,200-metre-long Baner-Pashan link road despite the court directions in the past, the Bombay High Court has now ordered the acquisition of land for the road within next two months and the PMC to complete the construction in four months after land acquisition.

In 2021, the petitioner had sought court direction to complete the incomplete portion of road, 200 meters of 1.2 km long 36-meter-wide Baner Pashan Link Road in a time-bound manner.

In August 2023, the Court had directed the PMC to acquire land required to complete the Baner-Pashan link road and submit a timeline both for the land acquisition and the construction of the remaining 200-metre stretch. However, the PMC could not do so till July last year and was pulled up for delaying the work of the incomplete road seeking an affidavit on it. The court had directed the PMC to take appropriate steps and complete the construction of 200 meters of road within the shortest possible time.

Hearing a petition filed by Baner-Pashan Link Road Welfare Trust, the two-judge high court bench led by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice M S Karnik directed the District Magistrate to complete the process of acquisition of the land within two months from and hand over the possession of the land to the PMC.

“The PMC should complete the construction of the road within a period of four months from the date of possession of the land,” said the bench on Wednesday.

According to petitioners, the link road is crucial for connectivity among Baner, Balewadi, and Pashan and will impact over 2,50,000 residents. The road was sanctioned in 1992 and the construction began in 2014 but two stretches of the road were not constructed, keeping the road unused for long.

Representing the petitioner, Advocate Satya Muley informed the Court that the PMC has been giving one or the other excuse for non-completion of the road. “With the final order coming with clear and strong directives, the residents of the region can now expect the construction of roads to complete by Diwali this year. It is going to be a tremendous relief for the traffic congestion and dangerous vehicle and risky pedestrian movement on the existing narrow road. I thank the residents of Baner Pashan area for their trust in Judiciary,” he said.

Ajay Jadhav

Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming January 2026 Civic Polls in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, and the city's infrastructure boom: 1. Political Analysis (Civic Elections 2026) "Not friendly but a bitter fight lies ahead between BJP and NCP for PMC, PCMC" (Dec 22, 2025): A detailed look at the intense rivalry between the Mahayuti partners as they prepare for the January 15 municipal elections. "Pune civic polls: Big blow to NCP, NCP(SP) as leaders switch to BJP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on high-profile poaching and party-hopping ahead of the elections. "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): Analyzing the results of the local self-government body elections as a precursor to the main civic polls. 2. Infrastructure & Urban Development "Looking Ahead at 2026: Pune to see inauguration of much-awaited Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar metro route" (Dec 22, 2025): An "outlook" piece on the critical Metro Line 3 project expected to finish by March 2026. "Building Pune: PMC to construct double-decker bridge over Mula-Mutha River" (Dec 18, 2025): Detailing a major project aimed at easing traffic between Hadapsar and Kharadi. "Condition of highway from Pune to Kolhapur to improve in a year: Gadkari" (Dec 4, 2025): Reporting on the Union Minister’s assurances regarding one of the state's most critical transport corridors. 3. Civic Governance & Environment "Install sensors, LED indicators at construction sites within 15 days: PMC to builders" (Dec 16, 2025): A follow-up to the "Breathless Pune" series, reporting on new mandates for builders to monitor air quality in real-time. "Errors in electoral rolls: PMC corrects data of 92,466 voters" (Dec 16, 2025): Tracking the administrative efforts to clean up the voter lists before the 2026 elections. Signature Style Ajay Jadhav is known for accountability journalism. His work often bridges the gap between high-level policy and the "ground zero" reality of Pune's residents. He is particularly focused on Sustainable Development, ensuring that as Pune grows into a "Bharat Mandapam" style destination (referring to his report on the Lohegaon project), its environmental and social safeguards remain intact. X (Twitter): @ajay_khape ... Read More

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