Pune's Rapid Urbanisation Poses Threat to Green Spaces, Warns PMC Commissioner

Pune, 1st March 2026: Stressing the urgent need to preserve green and permeable spaces amid rapid urbanisation, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram on Thursday said the city risks turning into an “entirely paved area” over the next three decades if corrective steps are not taken.

Addressing a gathering of real estate developers, Ram said urban growth must be balanced with environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable development.

“A city can be turned into entirely a paved area in a period of 30 years. You may not find even a single inch of green space if we are not careful,” he said.

The commissioner noted that large real estate projects often earmark amenity spaces, but these are typically utilised for facilities such as health clubs or schools, leaving limited scope for preserving natural green cover.

“Whenever we create big infrastructure or real estate property, we must ensure that it is surrounded by green space. We should not create an entirely paved area. There is a need for permeable spaces,” Ram said.

Citing data, he said Pune has witnessed a loss of around 30 per cent of permeable space over the last two development cycles, calling it a “big challenge” for the city’s planners and policymakers.

“We have to think seriously about how we can preserve our green space because it is for us. The kind of risks we are now facing, including increasing AQI, are a new phenomenon for cities like Pune,” he said.

Ram also pointed out the stark contrasts within the city, which ranks among India’s wealthiest in terms of per capita income but continues to grapple with socio-economic disparities.

“On one side, we are raising buildings that are islands of excellence. On the other side, around 28 per cent of the city comprises slums. How do we create balance? How do we give a better look to the entire city?” he asked, adding that slum redevelopment has progressed at a slow pace.

The commissioner urged developers to play a proactive role in addressing these challenges and called for closer coordination between the administration and the real estate sector.

“There has sometimes been a disconnect between the administration and builders. But I have seen that when society needed help, especially during the COVID period, you all came forward,” he said, recalling how hotel owners and real estate stakeholders extended support despite suffering heavy losses.

Ram lauded the industry’s contributions to corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, saying several developers have made significant financial contributions towards social causes.

“If we call you iconic builders, it is not a trophy word or a metaphor. You stand true to that,” he said.

Assuring full administrative support, Ram said the PMC and the real estate sector must work together more closely in the coming days.

“As municipal commissioner, all my support is with you. Let us interact more and do something better for the city and its people,” he added.