Building Pune: PMC to remove all 22,150 trees and plant 30,000 new trees under Riverfront Development project

Revised plans also reveal construction of food park, toilets and other public amenities.

The project is spread over 82 lakh square metre with a green belt of 29.70 lakh square metre. The green belt presently has 22,150 trees, of which the PMC has proposed to cut 11,000 and transplant 11,150 trees. (Express photo)

Unable to take up any new work under the Riverfront Development (RFD) project until it gets a fresh environmental clearance (EC), the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed to remove all 22,150 trees along the green belt and instead plant 30,000 trees to compensate for the loss.

The PMC had first received an EC on November 16, 2019, on the basis of the detailed project report (DPR) for the RFD spanning 44.4 km – 22.2 km along Mula river, 10.4 km along Mutha river and 11.8 km from the confluence of the two rivers till Kharadi. However, environmental activists moved the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court over possible environmental damage due to the project. They alleged that the civic body cut trees despite assuring not to do so in its DPR.

The Court then directed the PMC to seek a new EC. Whereas the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) asked the civic body to resolve all compliance issues and submit hydraulic and hydrology reports on the possible flood situation in the area after the implementation of the RFD.

In the revised proposal for seeking a fresh EC, the PMC informed that it would be using 624 sq metre for constructing toilets, 3,000 sq metre for kiosks and food court, 540 sq metre for security rooms, 150 sq metre for ticket counters, 210 sq metre for site office, 3,600 sq metre for utility or storage rooms and 540 sq metre for the janitor room. It proposed to increase public amenities to 23 hectares from 16 hectares, green embankments to 247 hectares from 180 hectares, landscape to 50 hectares from 45 hectares, and sewage pipeline to 88 km from 44 km. The project also comprises four pedestrian bridges, three river bridges and four water retention structures.

The project is spread over 82 lakh square metre with a green belt of 29.70 lakh square metre. The green belt presently has 22,150 trees, of which the PMC has proposed to cut 11,000 and transplant 11,150 trees. “Many of the trees that would be cut are foreign species. Nearly 30,000 trees of native species will be planted,” said a civic officer.

Petitioner Sarang Yadwadkar, who moved the Supreme Court and the NGT, said the PMC had categorically mentioned that it would not cut any trees for the RFD in its earlier DPR but has now been forced to reveal the facts. “There is a lot that still has to come out on environmental damage due to the RFD. The PMC has now given the details of public amenities to be constructed under the RFD but those are mainly closed structures and not open structures like concrete tracks, flooring etc,” he added.

Also read | Environment body calls for a rethink on River Front Development

As per the fresh DPR, the civic body will spend Rs 10.25 crore for the green belt during construction and Rs 10.20 crore as capital cost during operation along with Rs 40 lakh every year. It will develop a solid waste management facility with a capital expenditure of Rs 3.23 crore, and spend Rs 15 lakh every year for environmental monitoring of air, water, noise and soil. A mobile sewage treatment plant will be built at Rs 15 crore to check water pollution.

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The PMC has sought to meet power requirements by installing eleven 615KvA transformers and solar panels wherever possible for common area lighting.

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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