Pune: The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has encountered a funding roadblock in the Pune Ring Road project, despite having received all necessary approvals and starting on-site work. The district administration has requested an immediate release of ₹4,400 crore, which is needed to compensate farmers whose land has been acquired for the project.
Project Details and Current Status
The Ring Road aims to ease traffic congestion in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The road is divided into two sections—Western and Eastern—spanning eight talukas. A total of 1,887 hectares of land is being acquired for the project, with an estimated cost of ₹11,000 crore. The state government had set November 2024 as the deadline for disbursing land acquisition compensation, with officials instructed to complete the acquisition by March 15.
So far, land acquisition for the Western section is 92% complete, while the Eastern section has exceeded 80%. The MSRDC has allocated ₹7,194 crore for land acquisition but has yet to release the remaining amount, delaying compensation to farmers.
District Collector Urges Immediate Fund Release
Due to growing frustration among landowners, District Collector Jitendra Dudi has sent an official request to MSRDC, urging them to immediately disburse the pending funds. Farmers whose lands have been acquired are facing financial uncertainty due to the delay in compensation payments.
A farmer from Purandar taluka shared his concerns: "My land was acquired for the Ring Road project, but I have not received any compensation. Officials have informed us that funds have not been released by the state government."