Pune, 3rd October 2026: PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has ordered a stay on the felling of 467 trees in Kothrud after it emerged that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has no confirmed space for their transplantation.
The decision follows the cutting of around 150 trees for a proposed 20-metre-wide road, raising concerns among residents and environmental activists about the loss of green cover in the area.
According to the PMC's development plan, a 30-metre-wide road is proposed from the stream near Mrityunjayeshwar Temple to Saurabh Hall, connecting further to G.A. Kulkarni Path. However, the landowner concerned transferred land for a 20-metre-wide road to the civic body around three years ago in exchange for Floor Space Index (FSI).
In 2023, the PMC decided to cut 467 trees obstructing the road. Although the felling remained pending for nearly three years, the civic body's road department began cutting trees in recent days. Around 150 trees have been felled so far.
The green stretch is widely regarded as the lungs of Kothrud because of its dense vegetation. The proposed tree removal has raised concerns about the permanent loss of the area's existing green cover.
The PMC has proposed planting around 6,500 trees to compensate for the loss of the 467 trees. However, the absence of a confirmed location for transplantation prompted residents to raise objections with the municipal commissioner.
Following the complaints, Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram ordered an immediate halt to further tree felling. The decision came after concerns were raised about the pace of the work and the lack of arrangements for transplanting the trees.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) general secretary Hemant Sambhus said, "The PMC is planning to construct a 20-metre-wide road that will offer little benefit to Kothrud residents. The project appears to be intended to benefit a select few. Around 150 of the 467 trees have already been cut, but the PMC has no land available for their transplantation. The work is being carried out arbitrarily. After we brought the issue to the commissioner's attention, he ordered a stay on tree felling."
PMC Road Department Chief Engineer Rajesh Bankar confirmed that tree felling had been suspended. He said, "Tree felling at the site has been stopped. We expect to receive land from the Forest Department in Lullanagar for planting 6,500 trees. The department's formal letter is expected in the coming days."
In a separate development, the PMC removed a large unauthorised gate installed by a private individual on municipal land in the same area. The gate carried a PMC signboard despite having no official authorisation.
The installation had gone unnoticed by municipal officials until it was brought to their attention. The civic body subsequently removed the gate, stating that municipal roads and land cannot be enclosed through unauthorised structures.
