Pune: Several key road projects in Pune have been stalled for years due to landowners’ demand for cash compensation instead of Transferable Development Rights (TDR) or Floor Space Index (FSI). The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has now decided to allocate ₹200 crore in the 2025-26 budget to speed up land acquisition and complete important road projects.

While the Development Plan (DP) outlines multiple road projects, their implementation has been delayed due to the unavailability of land.

• Landowners have rejected PMC’s offer of TDR and FSI, instead demanding cash compensation.

• Small landowners, in particular, find TDR and FSI impractical, which has led to refusals.

• As a result, many crucial roads remain incomplete, worsening traffic congestion in Pune.

Massive Budget Required for Road Expansion

• PMC estimates that it needs ₹1,000 crore for land acquisition.

• The state government contributes 50% of the funds, while PMC allocates the remaining amount in its budget.

• ₹870 crore is needed for 33 major roads.

• ₹120 crore is required for road expansion in the airport area.

• PMC is in discussions with the government to secure ₹500 crore this year to fast-track the process.

Builders' Roads Get Priority, Public Roads Face Delays

Despite heavy traffic congestion in suburban areas, PMC has not prioritized alternative roads planned in the DP. However, roads near major builder projects are being completed quickly, even without public demand.

This favoritism is evident in the Sinhagad Road area, where roads surrounding builder projects have been developed rapidly, while publicly important roads remain pending.

Land Acquisition Delays Key Road Projects

• Katraj-Kondhwa Road Widening (84m) – Stuck since 2018

• The land acquisition process has not started due to funding issues.

• Sus-Pashan Link Road – Delayed due to cash compensation demand

• Wakad-Balewadi Bridge Road – Stalled over land acquisition issues

• Dhayari (McDonald's to Savitri Garden Road)

• Despite ₹3 crore already spent, the land acquisition process has not started.

PMC Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale emphasized that traffic congestion remains a serious issue, and landowners' demand for cash compensation must be met for critical road projects to proceed.