Pune: 40 Trees Cut Down for Subway Construction at Rakshak Chowk in Pimpri Chinchwad

Pimple Nilakh, 7th September 2024 – The construction of an 18-meter subway at Rakshak Chowk, near Sangvi in Pimpri Chinchwad, has led to the removal of 40 trees due to their obstruction. The subway, to be built on land owned by the Defence Department, aims to alleviate traffic congestion in an area notorious for delays. Currently, the Aundh Ravet BRTS Road is mostly signal-free except at Rakshak Chowk, Tathawade Chowk, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Ravet, which remain congested. The new subway is expected to ease this congestion by connecting Rakshak Chowk to Pimple Nilakh Gaonthan.

Of the 40 trees removed, 13, including a Neem tree, are scheduled for replanting, as approved by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Garden Department. The felled trees included species such as the Rain Tree, Gum Arabic Tree, and Indian Jujube.

The subway project, valued at Rs 7,62,08,213, was tendered by PCMC, with HC Kataria Company winning the bid with an offer of Rs 5,73,10,806. This construction is expected to significantly improve traffic flow between Pimple Nilakh and major roads like Baner, Balewadi, and Wakad, as well as the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway’s Katraj-Dehu Road section.

Environmental concerns have been raised by citizens. Prashant Raul, an environmentalist from Pimpri Chinchwad, criticized the PCMC’s tree authority for allegedly becoming a “tree-cutting authority” and accused officials of corruption related to tree felling and wood sales. Previously, illegal tree-cutting led to the suspension of five PCMC employees. Raul claims that current permits are in violation of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act of 1975.

Attempts to reach Ravikiran Ghodke, Deputy Commissioner of PCMC and head of the Garden Department, for comment were unsuccessful as he was unavailable.