Pune: Controversy Erupts as Trees are Allegedly Illegally Felled for Road Widening in Koregaon Park; Citizens Petition Court

Pune, 15th December 2023: Environment-conscious citizens in Pune are accusing the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) of indiscriminately cutting down trees in the city, leading to a filed petition in court. Amidst these claims, a separate incident has come to light, revealing that trees were allegedly felled during the night to widen the road from Koregaon Park to North Main Road.

Concerned residents of the area discovered trees being cut on the road between lane number seven and Kalyani Nagar Bridge at around 1 AM on Thursday (14th). Suspecting a violation of regulations, citizens approached the contractor involved and learned that permits were obtained but were surprised that the work was being conducted during prohibited hours. A written complaint has been lodged by an aware woman at the Koregaon Park Police Station.

PMC has initiated the widening of North Main Road at Koregaon Park, with a tender process already underway. The existing 18-meter road will be expanded to 24 meters, involving the removal of approximately 80 trees. The controversial midnight operation has prompted residents to question the municipal corporation’s approach.

Vijaya Suratkar, the complainant, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that no municipal official was present during the tree-felling activity, and the complaint emphasizes the violation of rules prohibiting such activities during nighttime. Suggestions were made that alternative measures should have been explored instead of cutting down the trees.

Anirudh Pavaskar, Head of the PMC Road Department, defended the nighttime operation, explaining that it was necessary due to the traffic during the day. He assured that the felled trees would be compensated by planting new ones in the industrial area of Ramtekadi.