Pune: A serious controversy has emerged regarding the reserved land for a maternity home, garden, and Dhobi Ghat in Hadapsar, where an alleged attempt is being made to transfer the maternity home’s reservation to another plot, potentially benefiting a builder.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had paid ₹3.25 crore to the Irrigation Department to acquire land at Survey No. 15 and 16. However, records indicate that only Survey No. 16 was mentioned in official documents, causing complications in acquiring Survey No. 15. The Municipal Commissioner has now taken cognizance of the issue and directed officials to investigate and take necessary action.
Background of the Land Reservation
Under Pune’s development plan, Survey No. 15 and 16 in Hadapsar had been earmarked for a maternity home, while Survey No. 16 was designated for a Dhobi Ghat. In July 2019, PMC also passed a resolution approving a portion of Survey No. 16 for the development of a memorial for martyr Saurabh Farate. The Shaheed Hemant Karkare Garden has already been developed on these plots.
Since the land originally belonged to the Irrigation Department, PMC paid ₹3,25,18,300 in August 2019 to secure its transfer. However, the department's official records only included Survey No. 16, causing delays in PMC acquiring Survey No. 15. This discrepancy has now raised suspicions about an alleged attempt to shift the maternity home’s reservation to Survey No. 16, reportedly to facilitate a construction project by a private builder.
Congress leaders Mohan Joshi and Prashant Surse have strongly opposed any changes to the land reservation, demanding that PMC take legal possession of Survey No. 15 and proceed with the development of the maternity home, Dhobi Ghat, and Shaheed Farate Memorial as originally planned.
On Monday (March 24), Congress leaders Mohan Joshi, Prashant Surse, Pallavi Surse, and Nandkumar Ajotikar met with Municipal Commissioner Dr. Rajendra Bhosale to bring the issue to his attention. Responding to the allegations, Dr. Bhosale instructed Additional Commissioner Mahesh Patil and City Engineer Prashant Waghmare to review the situation and take appropriate corrective measures.
