The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in coordination with the district administration, is taking steps to expedite the implementation of town planning (TP) schemes in Holkarwadi to facilitate land acquisition for a proposed ring road. The initiative is aimed at improving road connectivity and reducing traffic congestion across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad. The civic administration has appointed a new arbitrator to accelerate the planning process and resolve matters related to landowners, maps and land reservations.
The move comes at a time when similar town planning initiatives in Uruli Devachi and Phursungi continue to face administrative delays. While the civic body is taking up new schemes in Holkarwadi, the earlier projects have yet to make progress due to jurisdiction-related issues and other procedural hurdles.
Holkarwadi Town Planning Schemes to Support Ring Road Development
The Maharashtra state urban development department has recently appointed a new arbitrator for Holkarwadi Town Planning Scheme Nos. 4 and 5. The two schemes cover areas of 158.19 hectares and 130.78 hectares, respectively. Their implementation is important for acquiring 19.61 hectares of land required for the proposed ring road.
The ring road is planned to improve traffic movement across Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad by providing an additional road network and reducing congestion on existing routes. The town planning schemes are expected to help the authorities organise land parcels, identify road alignments and facilitate the reservation of land for infrastructure development.
As part of the administrative arrangements, PMC has been directed to provide an independent office and the necessary logistical support to the newly appointed arbitrator. The objective is to ensure that the arbitration process progresses without further delays.
A senior civic official said that the municipal corporation had received directions to provide the required facilities to support the process. This is expected to help address issues related to landowners and accelerate the implementation of the schemes.
Pravin Shende, superintending engineer of PMC, said the arbitrator would initiate the implementation process and discussions with landowners concerning the scheme maps and land reservations. These discussions are expected to help resolve outstanding matters and move the town planning process forward.
Pune’s Town Planning Initiatives and Earlier Projects
Pune has a long history of implementing town planning schemes for organised urban development. The city’s early initiatives date back to 1915, during the British era. Between 1939 and 1989, eight major town planning schemes were implemented in areas such as Deccan, Gultekdi, Parvati, Sangamwadi, Mangalwar Peth and Hadapsar Industrial Estate.
These schemes helped plan urban infrastructure and organise land use in different parts of the city. However, town planning activities witnessed a prolonged slowdown over the following decades, with no major initiatives being taken up for nearly four decades.
To restart the process, PMC initiated town planning schemes covering more than 600 hectares across Uruli Devachi and Phursungi. The initiative marked the civic body’s first major attempt to revive this development mechanism after several decades.
The proposed schemes were designed to support planned urban expansion by providing essential infrastructure and public amenities. These include roads, water supply networks, drainage and sewage systems, gardens, schools and public hospitals.
The objective was to ensure that developing areas receive basic infrastructure alongside urban expansion rather than depending on separate infrastructure projects at a later stage.
Uruli Devachi and Phursungi Schemes Face Administrative Delays
Despite the initial progress, the town planning schemes in Uruli Devachi and Phursungi remain stalled due to administrative and jurisdiction-related issues.
According to PMC data, the proposed schemes include two areas in Phursungi measuring 260.67 hectares and 238.50 hectares, while the scheme in Uruli Devachi covers 109.78 hectares. These projects form part of the larger town planning initiative covering more than 600 hectares.
Their implementation is expected to support the development of roads, public utilities and other civic infrastructure in these growing urban areas. However, differences concerning administrative jurisdiction have affected the progress of the schemes.
Local residents have called on the authorities to resolve these issues and restart the projects. Vishal Harpale, a local representative and resident of Uruli-Phursungi, said that the projects should be resumed at the earliest. He also urged PMC to address jurisdiction-related concerns and ensure that the town planning schemes are implemented on the ground.
Focus on Planned Urban Development in Pune
The decision to expedite the Holkarwadi schemes indicates PMC’s efforts to move forward with infrastructure development through town planning mechanisms. The acquisition of land for the proposed ring road is one of the key objectives, while the broader planning process is expected to support organised urban development.
However, the progress of the Holkarwadi schemes and the pending projects in Uruli Devachi and Phursungi will depend on the resolution of land-related matters, coordination with landowners and administrative clearances.
The implementation of these schemes is expected to play a role in improving Pune’s road infrastructure and providing essential civic facilities in developing areas. Timely execution will be important to ensure that the proposed infrastructure projects translate into improvements in urban connectivity and public services.
