Pune: A plan by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to lease a prime 2.25-acre plot near Sassoon Hospital to a private builder for 99 years at a significantly low rate has sparked outrage among local contractors and engineers.

The land is being leased for just ₹60 crore under the guise of raising funds, which has led to protests by the Pune Contractors Association and other stakeholders.

They are demanding the land be used for a memorial dedicated to Bharat Ratna Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya and a construction building for engineers.

During the protest, association members highlighted that the plot in Mangalwar Peth holds historical importance, as Sir Visvesvaraya, a revered engineer, had worked at this site.

They pointed out that his birth anniversary, celebrated on September 15 as Engineer’s Day, would be an ideal occasion to establish a memorial and a dedicated building for the construction department.

Association President Ravindra Bhosale criticized the government’s decision, stating, “This prime plot in Mangalwar Peth, owned by MSRDC, is being handed over to a private builder at a throwaway price. Considering the current market rates and the future development in the surrounding areas, the value is grossly undervalued.”

MSRDC was founded in 1996 to develop roads and manage infrastructure in Maharashtra. At that time, the Public Works Department had leased some of its properties to the corporation to facilitate development projects.

In 2016, the government authorized MSRDC to lease these lands to private entities to raise funds. Now, MSRDC has decided to lease the valuable Mangalwar Peth plot to a private builder, sparking strong opposition from local contractors.

Cancer Hospital Proposal Hits Roadblock?

Previously, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had proposed the construction of a cancer hospital on the same MSRDC land as part of the Sassoon Hospital modernization project.

Following this, both Sassoon Hospital’s administration and the Medical Education Department began the necessary procedures, and it was agreed that the state would cover any financial losses MSRDC might incur.

However, after MSRDC expressed no objection to the land transfer in 2013, no further steps were taken, and the cancer hospital project stalled.

Despite this, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif recently announced the establishment of a cancer hospital on the MSRDC land during a legislative session, renewing hopes for the project to gain traction.