The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) is swiftly advancing its efforts in acquiring land for the much-anticipated ring road project in Pune. With an allocated budget of Rs 450 crore, the project is well underway, with Rs 602 crore left to be utilized.
A crucial step in the process involves conducting Geological Survey of India (GSI) mapping of the roads using maps. The district administration has initiated the process by issuing notices to those who will be affected by the land acquisition for the ring road. The aim is to obtain the required land through a settlement process, with a focus on encouraging voluntary participation from local farmers.
The purpose of the ring road project is to address the traffic congestion issues prevalent in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. This expansive project encompasses a 172 km-long road with a width of 110 meters. The road is divided into two main sections: East and West. The western section passes through five villages in Bhor, 11 in Haveli, 15 in Mulshi, and six in Maval. The project necessitates the acquisition of approximately 695 hectares of land, and the evaluation of land in the western section has already been completed. Subsequently, after finalizing the compensation rates, notices for land acquisition have been dispatched.
However, some local organizations have raised concerns regarding potential discrepancies in the evaluation process. They have called for an extension of the notice period to ensure equitable compensation for those affected. Pune District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh conducted an inquiry and determined that the farmers were in agreement with the land acquisition.
In response to the concerns raised by the local villagers, provincial authorities and officials from the road corporation are diligently addressing objections and requests. The administration is working to reassure the farmers, stating that their protests have been heard, and the land acquisition process is proceeding with thorough scrutiny of documents and consent letters.
The ring road project is strategically divided into two phases: the west and the east. The evaluation and land acquisition process for the western phase is actively underway, employing the settlement process. Additionally, four villages in the eastern phase are set to be affected by the project. The evaluation approach for the eastern villages aligns with a decision made by the state government in January, and GSI mapping will be executed using maps.
Despite attempts to reach out to MSRDC officials for comments, there has been no response as of yet.
