Supreme Court Halt: No Construction in Deemed Forest for Balbharati–Paud Phata Road in Pune

Pune, 17th May 2025: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, has written to the Maharashtra Chief Secretary urging a complete stop on any construction activity within the “deemed forest” areas, especially those linked to the proposed Balbharati–Paud Phata Road in Pune. The committee noted that the matter is still under judicial consideration. In a letter dated Friday, CEC Chairman Siddhanta Das emphasized the need for strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s judgment in the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India case (1996), as well as Rule 16(1) of the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023. “The matter is currently before the Hon’ble Supreme Court. It is essential that no construction work is initiated within ‘deemed forest’ areas in violation of existing court directives,” Das stated in the letter. This communication was prompted by a plea submitted by environmental activists, including Sumita Kale of the Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti, who have raised alarm over the potential ecological impact of the project. The group expressed concerns that the road work would severely damage the green cover and natural slopes of the Vetal Tekdi, one of Pune’s most prominent hills. The controversial 2.1-kilometre road project, planned by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), aims to connect Balbharati to Paud Phata via Law College Road, German Bakery, and Aathle Chowk, to ease traffic congestion in the area. However, the alignment reportedly passes through ecologically sensitive zones, including sections classified as deemed forest. While the PMC maintains that the road is essential for addressing growing urban traffic woes, citizen groups and conservationists argue that the project threatens the city’s already diminishing green spaces. The CEC’s intervention is being viewed by activists as a crucial step toward preventing irreversible environmental damage. The committee’s final report on the matter is still under review by the Supreme Court, and no formal clearance has been granted yet. The halt in construction activities is part of a broader effort to balance urban development with environmental conservation. The Pune Municipal Corporation is expected to submit a revised plan that minimizes the impact on the green areas. Environmentalists hope that this will set a precedent for future projects in the region, ensuring that development does not come at the cost of ecological health.