Pune, 11th September 2026: Long-pending High Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMT Road) project has come under opposition from citizen's groups, who have raised concerns over environmental damage, displacement and a lack of transparency in the planning process.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) plans to invite tenders for the project within the next two to three months and complete it within three years. However, the HCMT Citizen's Action Committee, comprising more than 39 people working in the social, environmental and transport sectors, has urged the civic administration to reconsider the project.
According to the committee, the project could require the cutting of around 3,000 trees. It has also raised concerns about the impact on three lakes and three hill areas along the proposed route. The committee said around 30 per cent of the project area has dense tree cover.
Cutting a large number of trees could worsen pollution and water-related problems in the city, it said. Citizens have also questioned whether an elevated road through densely populated areas will actually ease traffic congestion or create additional traffic-related problems.
The committee has cited a Stup Consultants report which states that more than 1,000 families live within 10 metres of the proposed project route.
If the project is implemented as planned, these families could face displacement. Thousands of small businesses operating in the affected areas could also suffer losses.
The proposed route may also have a direct impact on several public and community institutions, including:
25 pre-primary schools
31 schools and colleges
19 hospitals
12 temples
Heritage buildings and cultural sites
The HCMT Citizen's Action Committee has asked the PMC to immediately make public all project reports, revised plans, technical drawings and minutes of meetings related to the project. The committee has also demanded a transparent public hearing before implementation begins and has sought a joint meeting with PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.
The committee said it does not oppose city development but will not accept decisions that ignore the lives of residents and the environmental impact of the project.
The HCMT Road project has received renewed attention from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as part of efforts to address Pune’s traffic congestion. A high-level committee has also been formed for the project, while the civic administration has started planning its implementation and is holding discussions on appointing a consultant.
However, the citizen's committee has called for a detailed review before the project moves ahead, particularly in view of its possible impact on residents, businesses, green spaces and other important city infrastructure.
The representation submitted to the PMC carries the signatures of more than 39 citizens, including Prajakta Divekar, Sarang Yadavdkar and Nikhil Angal.
