Pune's Rs 122 Crore Road Beautification Plan: Necessary Upgrade or Fiscal Misuse?
A ₹122.97 crore proposal for road repair and beautification in Pune has sparked controversy, with experts and civic groups alleging inflated costs and mismanagement.
PuneRoad BeautificationBudgetCivic ProjectsPublic FundsReal Estate PuneSep 16, 2025
Experts argue that constructing an entirely new two-lane asphalt road, 5–7 metres wide, should not cost more than ₹3 crore per kilometre. This discrepancy has led to allegations of inflated estimates and mismanagement. The organization Aaple Pune Aapla Paris, comprising former opposition leaders Ujjwal Keskar and Suhas Kulkarni, along with former corporator Prashant Badhe, has submitted a complaint to the Municipal Commissioner regarding the proposal.
The organization pointed out that the package includes crores of rupees for works such as asphalting, painting dividers, installing signboards, and repairing potholes, even on well-maintained concrete roads. They argue that the roads required for the cycling event could be adequately prepared through routine reinstatement and maintenance works, rather than initiating large-scale new projects.
According to the representatives, tenders worth ₹2.62 crore have already been floated for works under the Aundh-Baner ward office alone, while maintenance works across all 15 regional offices together amount to nearly ₹40 crore. They further highlighted that these regular works would suffice to prepare roads for the competition and could save nearly ₹125 crore of citizens’ tax money.
The controversy has raised questions about the transparency and efficiency of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in managing public funds. Civic groups and experts are calling for a detailed audit of the project costs and a more transparent tendering process to ensure that taxpayers' money is used judiciously.
In response to the allegations, the PMC has defended the proposal, stating that the high costs are necessary to bring the roads up to international standards for the cycling event. However, the lack of detailed breakdowns and justifications for the inflated costs has only added to the public's skepticism.
As the debate continues, the Pune Grand Cycle Tour committee is closely monitoring the situation, hoping that the roads will be ready in time for the event. The success of the competition could hinge on the resolution of this fiscal dispute and the effective use of public resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost of the road beautification project in Pune?
The total cost of the road beautification project in Pune is ₹122.97 crore.
Why are there objections to the project?
Objections to the project are based on the estimated cost of ₹1.89 crore per kilometre, which experts argue is inflated. They claim that routine maintenance works could prepare the roads for the cycling event at a much lower cost.
Which organization has submitted a complaint regarding the project?
The organization Aaple Pune Aapla Paris, comprising former opposition leaders and a former corporator, has submitted a complaint to the Municipal Commissioner regarding the proposal.
How much money could be saved by using routine maintenance works?
According to the representatives, using routine maintenance works could save nearly ₹125 crore of citizens’ tax money.
What is the Pune Grand Cycle Tour, and why is it important for the city?
The Pune Grand Cycle Tour is a major cycling event that requires well-maintained roads. The success of the event could hinge on the resolution of the fiscal dispute and the effective use of public resources to prepare the roads.
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