Pune: The state government approved 26 changes, including 12 major locations, to the High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) to improve the city's traffic flow a month ago.
However, the maps detailing these changes have not yet been received by the municipal corporation. This delay is causing difficulties for citizens in understanding the specifics of the highway project and raising any objections.
The HCMTR was first included in the city's development plan in 1987 and reaffirmed in the 2017 revision. Despite efforts to expedite the project in 2017, including setting up a dedicated cell within the municipal corporation and issuing tenders, the project has seen no progress over the past 35 years.
The initial estimated cost was Rs 5,200 crore, but tenders came in at significantly higher rates, pushing the cost to ₹12000 crore, leading to their cancellation.
In the meantime, the municipal corporation granted permissions along parts of the proposed route, while other sections faced significant encroachments.
In October 2021, the municipal administration proposed changes to the HCMTR route, which were approved by a joint motion from the BJP and NCP in the municipal council.
The Congress party alleged that these changes would benefit real estate developers by converting large portions of the route into residential areas.
In March 2023, the municipal administration submitted a proposal with these changes to the state government under Section 37(2) of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. Although approved a month ago, the revised maps have not yet been sent to the municipal corporation.
According to officials, who requested anonymity, this delay is causing public confusion and making it difficult for citizens to understand the exact route and the impact on property owners, thus hindering the process of filing objections and suggestions.
Sudhir Kulkarni, President of the Citizens' Rights Association, expressed frustration over the state's handling of the project, urging the government to promptly provide the maps to the municipal corporation to facilitate transparency and public participation.
"The state government approved the changes to the HCMTR, but the detailed maps have not yet reached the municipal corporation. This delay is preventing citizens from understanding the exact modifications and filing their objections. The state government needs to expedite the release of these maps," Kulkarni stated.