Ward plan based on 2017 model: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has submitted its draft ward structure using the 2017 format, now expanded to include 32 newly added villages.
Political allegations surface: Opposition accuses ruling alliance of tweaking ward boundaries for electoral gains by crossing natural limits and favoring specific areas.
Next steps in timeline: Draft wards to be publicly released on August 22, followed by a round of objections, hearings, and final approval by early October.
Pune, 5th August 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) submitted its draft ward structure to the state government’s Urban Development Department on Monday, August 4, ahead of the upcoming municipal elections. This new structure includes 32 newly merged villages, resulting in significant changes to ward boundaries across the city.
However, civic officials have clarified that the 2025 draft is based on the ward structure implemented in 2017.
For the past month, the draft plan was being prepared confidentially by the civic administration. Even before it was submitted, political tension had already begun to rise, with opposition parties from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) accusing the ruling Mahayuti alliance of manipulating ward boundaries to their advantage.
They allege that the new wards cross natural limits like roads and railways, and include favorable voter pockets into politically challenging areas for the ruling alliance.
According to the draft, out of 165 corporators, 39 wards will be represented by four members each, and three wards will have three representatives. These three-member wards have become a point of internal contest within BJP, with party leaders lobbying for specific areas to be included.
Meanwhile, unofficial maps of Santosh Nagar-Datt Nagar-Nanhe and Dhankawdi-Ambegaon Pathar wards were leaked on social media, raising concerns among aspiring candidates. Reacting to this, Municipal Commissioner Nawal Kishore Ram stated that he wasn’t aware of the viral maps but assured they would be verified.
There is heightened anxiety among opposition aspirants, especially given that the 2017 ward formation, also criticized for crossing natural boundaries, had politically hurt Congress, NCP, and Shiv Sena. As the same model has been used this time, MVA parties fear a repeat of past setbacks.
Ram said the new structure accounts for a population increase of around four lakh due to the merger of 32 villages. He emphasized that proper procedures were followed while drawing the new boundaries, and political representatives from all parties were given time to present their views.
As per the timeline, the draft will be submitted by the state government to the Election Commission by August 11. The Commission will publish the draft on August 22 and invite suggestions and objections until August 28. Hearings will be held from August 29 to September 8.
The final ward structure will be submitted to the Urban Development Department between September 9 and 15, and the Election Commission is expected to receive the final version by September 22. The official announcement of Pune’s final ward map is expected anytime between October 3 and 6.