PUNE : The development of a circular highway around Pune is currently moving at a rapid pace as a solution to the city’s chronic traffic congestion. However, serious allegations have surfaced against the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and its contractors regarding a blatant disregard for environmental safety and legal regulations. Reports indicate that the project is mired in controversies, ranging from unresolved compensation disputes with farmers currently pending in court to the unauthorized construction of a temporary bund in the Mula River. Observers note that the contractors appear to be operating with little caution for the ecological impact of their activities.

Shocking Disparity in Reforestation Efforts

A recent Right to Information (RTI) request filed by the Kartavya Foundation has brought to light a staggering environmental cost associated with the Ring Road. According to the data provided by MSRDC, a total of 35,507 trees have been felled across the talukas of Mulshi, Mawal, Bhor, and Rajgad to make way for the highway. In contrast, only 1,545 trees have been transplanted. Mr. Hanumant Pandharinath Chondhe, President of the Kartavya Foundation, has criticized this massive imbalance and demanded that the administration publicly disclose the names of the responsible contractors and the exact locations where compensatory planting is supposedly taking place.

Legal Obligations and Administrative Gaps

Under the provisions of Section 3 (1) ‘B’ of the Maharashtra Felling of Trees Act 1964 (amended 26/1989), the administration and contractors are legally bound to plant new trees to replace those lost. Despite this, Mr. Chondhe expressed deep dissatisfaction with the vague information provided by the authorities. He argued that merely stating the number of trees cut is insufficient and that the administration is attempting to evade its responsibility by shifting the burden entirely onto contractors. He insists that transparency is essential regarding which companies are handling specific project packages and where exactly the reforestation efforts are being implemented.

The Ongoing Battle for Environmental Justice

Mr. Chondhe and the Kartavya Foundation have maintained a firm stance on preserving ecological balance, asserting that environmental protection should not be limited to figures on a sheet of paper but must result in actual surviving greenery. The foundation has issued a warning that if the names of contractors and the specific sites for tree plantation are not disclosed, they will intensify their protest and follow-up actions. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Forest Department is already conducting an investigation into the contractors for the unauthorized felling of trees, signaling potential legal repercussions for those ignoring environmental mandates.