In a contentious move, the land earmarked for a playground measuring approximately three and a half hectares at the rear side of Katraj Dairy is set to be repurposed as a dairy processing unit. The proposal designates Pune District Milk Producers Co-operative Union Limited as the authority for this shift in reservation, leading to objections from citizens, particularly the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), in a letter dated December 20, 2023, announced the approval of the proposal to cancel the reservation for a playground on the 3.59-hectare land in Katraj. The land will now be exclusively reserved for dairy processing, with Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers Union Limited appointed as the designated authority.
Survey No. 132 and Survey No. 133 in Katraj were initially reserved for a playground in the development plan on approximately 3.59 hectares (around 9 acres) of land adjacent to the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Association. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar advocated for the removal of this reservation, suggesting the allocation of the space for dairy processing, with the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producers Association overseeing the reservation.
However, the move has faced strong opposition from Vasant More, the MNS Pune City President. In a Facebook post, More expressed concerns about the implications for children’s recreational spaces. He stated, “We don’t want a dairy processing unit; children want a playground to play. I will not allow the state government and PMC to lift the reservation of the playground on the 9-acre land near Katraj Dairy.” More called for a signature campaign against the decision, inviting citizens to gather at Sarhad Chowk near Katraj Dairy at 5:00 pm on January 4 to express their objections.
