Pune: The Pune District administration has accelerated efforts to complete the land acquisition process for the city’s Ring Road project, which aims to alleviate traffic congestion.

Of the total 1,740 hectares required for the project, around 1,300 hectares have been acquired. The remaining 200 hectares—143 hectares in the eastern region and 63 hectares in the western region—are yet to be acquired.

The remaining acquisition involves areas in Purandar, Bhor, Haveli, Mulshi, and Maval talukas in the east and Khed and Maval talukas in the west. Landowners who voluntarily hand over their land by December 15 will receive 25% compensation.

For acquisitions beyond this deadline, a compulsory process will be initiated, offering compensation four times the market value. District Collector Dr. Suhas Divase held a meeting with officials, emphasizing the urgency of the remaining acquisitions and instructing taluka land acquisition officers to proceed accordingly.

The project requires a total of 1,740 hectares, including 858.96 hectares from 47 villages in the eastern region and 644.11 hectares from 36 villages in the western region.

As of now, ₹500 crore is needed to complete the acquisition of the remaining 200 hectares. A fund request has been submitted to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC).

The district administration has also initiated procedures to finalize the ownership of already acquired land. Some funds remain with the respective land acquisition officers for these settlements. In Wednesday’s (December 11) meeting, MSRDC officials were instructed to release the requested funds promptly to ensure the project progresses without delay.

Dr. Divase commented, “The land acquisition for Pune’s Ring Road project is nearing completion. We have instructed officials to expedite the acquisition of the remaining 200 hectares, and a fund request for ₹500 crore has been submitted to the MSRDC.”