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Kept in abeyance, not abandoned: PMC on ring road project status

Aniruddha Pawaskar, chief engineer (Road), Road Department, said that the HCMTR was being kept in abeyance.

The project had been proposed in the 1987 development plan of Pune city and was green lighted by the Maharashtra government last year. (Source: File)

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has said that the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) project, has not been abandoned permanently but only “for the present”. PMC could not say how long the project was being kept in abeyance.

HCMTR is a 36-km elevated inner ring road that is expected to solve some of the city’s traffic snarls but parts of it lie in an ecologically sensitive zone of Vetal Tekdi. The project had been proposed in the 1987 development plan of Pune city and was green lighted by the Maharashtra government last year.

Two km of HCMTR are aligned over the proposed Balbharti – Paud Phata Road through Law College Hill. Dr Sushma Date, who is leading the fight to save Vetal Tekdi, with Dr Sumita Kale, had filed a case against the PMC over the issue. She has called HCMTR “one of the three destructive projects proposed on Vetal Tekdi, the other two being Balbharti – Paud Phata Road and the two tunnels”.

On October 29, when the Supreme Court was hearing the case, counsels for the PMC, Abhijit Kulkarni and Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, submitted before the apex court that the HCMTR project, for which an environment clearance was found to be necessary, had been abandoned for the present by the corporation and the Balbharti-Paud Phata project was being implemented “in substitution thereof”. The use of the word “abandoned” sent out a message that the project was being shelved.

“It meant that the HCMTR is not happening at the present moment only; it has not been completely abandoned. HCMTR is a large project and, at present, we are carrying out pre-prepartion work for it, such as land acquisition and planning how to implement the project so that the least number of people will be impacted. Work will continue as the HCMTR is a big project,” said Advocate Nisha Chavan, Chief Legal officer of the PMC. She added that PMC would get the necessary Environment Clearance for the project. “We have never said that we will crack the environment and go ahead,” says Chavan.

Aniruddha Pawaskar, chief engineer (Road), Road Department, said that the HCMTR was being kept in abeyance. “There is no question of abandoning the total project. When we undertake such a big project, we have to plan for everything – the funds, how it is to be planned and how it is to be executed, among others.” He added that since PMC had gone quite ahead with the Balbharti Road, it was their priority.

About the Balbharti – Paud Phata Road, the PMC has said that it has “no objection to carrying out the Environment Impact Assessment and apply for an EC”. The Solicitor General had told the court that “an application for EC was made on Parivesh Portal of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. However, the status of the portal shows that the project does not fall under the category where an EC is required”.

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Date said, “As we understand, projects in the DP cannot be ‘abandoned for the present’, especially when the same sentence goes on to say ‘in substitution thereof’ the present project is being implemented’. How long is ‘the present?’ The PMC is, therefore, saying that the Balbharti – Paud Phata Road is being implemented in place of HCMTR. Does this mean the Balbharti – Paud Phata Road will be demolished when the HCMTR is taken up on the same alignment on the tekdi? This doesn’t make sense at all… We expect the PMC to be more responsible when it comes to planning for the city, not push such ad-hoc projects on the tekdi which will destroy so much, much more than we as a city can afford to lose.”

Dipanita Nath

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

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