The Bombay High Court has dismissed the challenge to the Pune road construction in a green zone, a decision that has significant implications for urban development in the area. The plea was filed by the charitable trust Nagrik Chetna Manch, contesting the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) initiative to build a road through a designated green zone in the heart of Pune city.Bombay High Court Dismisses Challenge to Pune Road Construction.
Court’s Ruling on Pune Road Construction
A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharti Dangre ruled in favor of the PMC, stating that the road construction project had undergone thorough deliberation and expert review. The court emphasized that decisions regarding city planning should be entrusted to the appropriate authorities rather than individual petitioners.
“We find that the petitioner is not an expert in city development. Specific departments of the State Government are assigned this task, and their decisions should be implemented accordingly,” the bench stated. This highlights the court’s confidence in the established processes for urban planning.
Details of the Proposed Project
The Pune Municipal Corporation plans to construct a road through a “lush green man-made forest” located between Balbharati and Paud Phata Road. This area is recognized as one of the last remaining green spaces in Pune, having been successfully afforested by the State Government’s Social Forestation Department. The petitioners argued that the road construction would threaten this critical green zone.
Advocate Anjali Helekar, representing Nagrik Chetna Manch, pointed out that the land—previously rocky and barren—was transformed into a dense forest through afforestation efforts between 1994 and 1996. However, opposing this view, Advocate Abhijit Kulkarni, representing the PMC, argued that the land in question is a man-made forest, not a natural one. He also indicated that plans for the road project date back to 2017.
Expert Committee Involvement
Kulkarni further explained that an Expert Committee, led by the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Special) and comprising environmental specialists, was established to evaluate the project. Bombay High Court Dismisses Challenge to Pune Road Construction.This committee conducted comprehensive environmental and traffic impact studies to ensure that both developmental needs and ecological preservation were adequately addressed.
He assured the court that all necessary permits from the Forest and Environment Departments will be secured before any construction begins, emphasizing the PMC’s commitment to responsible urban development.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bombay High Court’s dismissal of the challenge to Pune road construction in the green zone underscores the importance of expert evaluations in urban planning. The court has reaffirmed that such decisions are best left to designated authorities rather than individual petitioners. For more details on urban development in Pune, visit The Hans Bharat and learn more about the Pune Municipal Corporation.
This ruling is a pivotal moment for Pune, balancing the need for infrastructure development with environmental considerations.
