Pune: PMC to Develop 3.123-Acre Urban Forest Park in Undri-Mohammadwadi

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has agreed to develop a 3.123-acre amenity plot in Undri into a sprawling urban park named Sindoor Smriti Vatika, following sustained efforts by local residents.

Urban Forest ParkCivic EngagementPmcReal Estate GrowthEnvironmental ProtectionReal Estate PuneAug 09, 2025

Pune: PMC to Develop 3.123-Acre Urban Forest Park in Undri-Mohammadwadi

Real Estate Pune:Kondhwa, 9th August 2025: In a major victory for local civic engagement, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has agreed to develop a 3.123-acre amenity plot in Undri into a sprawling urban park named Sindoor Smriti Vatika. The announcement comes after sustained efforts by residents of Mohammadwadi and Undri, who had long demanded public access to green space in the rapidly urbanizing area.

PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, in a recent meeting with citizens led by the Mohammadwadi-Undri Residents Welfare Foundation (MURWF), confirmed that the civic body has accepted the proposal and will begin work on the park. “We are positively considering the proposal, and the residents have submitted the demand to the concerned department,” he said.

Once completed, the public garden will provide much-needed recreational infrastructure and environmental relief to the growing population in the area — a milestone that residents say is both symbolic and essential.

A Green Dream Gains Ground

The 12,635.86-square-meter (approximately 3.123-acre) amenity space, located in Survey Nos. 4 (Part) and 21 (Part) in Undri, has been under PMC ownership but largely neglected. For years, the site was misused as an illegal dumping ground for cement and construction waste by private developers — with no fencing, no signage, and no enforcement of environmental protections.

“Indiscriminate dumping of cement waste, loose gravel, and stones is taking place in clear violation of the Environmental Protection Act. PMC’s approach has been alarmingly casual,” said Sunil Aiyer, a member of MURWF, after a recent inspection of the site.

With more than 20 housing societies backing the initiative, the Foundation submitted a formal petition to the PMC urging development of the park. The group argued that since Mohammadwadi and Undri were incorporated into PMC limits in 2017, residents have seen explosive real estate growth, but without a parallel investment in public infrastructure like parks, playgrounds, or community spaces.

A Tribute Park With a Purpose

The proposed Sindoor Smriti Vatika is envisioned not only as a recreational facility but also as a tribute to the Armed Forces, particularly honoring Operation Sindoor. The space would serve as a memorial park while offering walking tracks, seating areas, play zones, and open green lawns for community use.

“The Undri Hill Top area has witnessed rapid urban growth, but sadly, it still lacks even a single public garden or a safe recreational space for walking, jogging, or community engagement,” said Sunil Koloti, Director of the Mohammadwadi-Undri Residents Welfare Development Foundation. “A few months ago, an ex-Armed Forces resident tragically lost his life in a hit-and-run incident while walking along the roadside — an avoidable accident that highlights the urgent need for safe pedestrian infrastructure. With heavy vehicle and water tanker movement around the clock, the safety of our residents remains at constant risk.”

“We earnestly appeal to the Pune Municipal Corporation to immediately allocate the amenity plot, Survey No. 4 (Part) and 21 (Part) in Undri, Taluka Haveli — measuring 12,635.86 sq. meters — for the development of a public garden. We propose that this garden be named and dedicated to the nation as ‘Sindoor Smriti Vatika’, in honor of Operation Sindoor and the spirit of service and sacrifice shown by our Armed Forces. This green space will not only enhance the quality of life in the area but also stand as a living tribute to our heroes while promoting safety, wellness, and community harmony,” Koloti added.

Pulling Back the Curtain: Citizens Demand Transparency in Amenity Land Use

While the decision to create Sindoor Smriti Vatika has been celebrated as a win for the community, the larger conversation has now turned toward the opaque and often murky processes through which amenity lands are allocated in Pune.

“Large amenity plots are among the most sought-after assets for influential builders, primarily because they can be cornered through 99-year leases using well-established connections within the Pune Municipal Corporation,” said Makrand Kulkarni, a resident of Undri. “The process is rarely transparent. Elected corporators, who are meant to protect the public’s interest, often act as intermediaries or frontmen for these developers, smoothing the path for such leases and ensuring that these spaces are never actually developed for their intended public use. This is not just a loophole — it’s a system.”

Kulkarni added that in Undri and Mohammadwadi, none of the designated amenity spaces are listed on PMC’s official website — a serious red flag that points to lapses in record-keeping and public accountability. “What should have been public gardens, community halls, or sports facilities are instead being quietly erased from public records and repurposed for private gain. The people lose twice: first, by being denied the facilities they were promised, and second, by watching public land become an asset for a few,” he said.

Activist forums and local resident groups have echoed these concerns, demanding that all decisions regarding amenity plots — whether for parks, police stations, schools, or hospitals — be made through open, participatory processes. They allege that the Amenity Space Committee, the PMC’s Building Permission Department, and other nodal officers operate as a “closed nexus” with builders and political intermediaries, bypassing citizen input.

“The plot of land runs into crores of rupees in market value, and yet the public has no access to the decisions being made. These spaces are leased out silently, often to influential private entities, without consulting the citizens for whom they were reserved,” said a representative from a citywide citizen forum. “What we are demanding is simple — upload all amenity plot data to the PMC website and ensure every allocation is subject to citizen oversight.”

Toward Accountability and Empowerment

The proposed development of Sindoor Smriti Vatika marks more than the birth of a new park — it signifies a shift toward citizen empowerment in urban governance.

“This is more than just a patch of green,” added Aiyer. “It’s about who gets to decide the future of our neighborhoods. This land was meant for the people, and now, finally, it will serve the people.”

With PMC officially accepting the proposal and committing to develop the garden, residents hope this victory will inspire similar actions across the city — reclaiming public land for public good, and rewriting a system that for too long has kept ordinary citizens in the dark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the size of the amenity plot being developed into a park?

The amenity plot being developed into the Sindoor Smriti Vatika park is 3.123 acres (12,635.86 square meters).

Who is leading the initiative for the park development?

The initiative is led by the Mohammadwadi-Undri Residents Welfare Foundation (MURWF) and has the support of over 20 housing societies in the area.

What is the significance of the park's name, Sindoor Smriti Vatika?

Sindoor Smriti Vatika is named in honor of Operation Sindoor and the spirit of service and sacrifice shown by the Armed Forces. It serves as both a recreational facility and a tribute park.

What challenges have residents faced in the area?

Residents have faced rapid real estate growth without a parallel investment in public infrastructure, lack of green spaces, and safety concerns due to heavy vehicle traffic and illegal dumping.

What transparency issues are raised by the residents regarding amenity lands?

Residents have raised concerns about the opaque and often murky processes through which amenity lands are allocated, often bypassing citizen input and being repurposed for private gain.