To save 4-5 minutes, a proposed road threatens Vital Vetal Tekdi

PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation has for over half a decade touted the proposed Balbharati–Paud Phata Road as a key missing link to decongest a choked urban traffic system.

In official reports from 2019, revised post-pandemic in 2023, PMC maintained that Law College Road is on the verge of slipping into perpetual gridlock.

The same reports mooted the solution of an elevated corridor between Balbharati on Senapati Bapat (SB) Road and Paud Phata in Erandwane, as 57% to 74% of traffic on Law College Road connecting the two is migratory, used by commuters travelling to farther areas.

The road project has drawn strong backlash from many residents, as it cuts through Vetal Tekdi and threatens thousands of trees and precious aquifers, and brings a stream of traffic into a biodiversity-rich, green lung of the city.

PMC data says the proposed elevated corridor cuts travel time between both ends from around 17 minutes to about five minutes. Its logic: if travel time reduces, emissions fall, which is better for commuters and the environment.

However, TOI reporters tested PMC's arguments by navigating the existing routes on different dates, at peak time, and using varied modes of transport. The experience was in stark contrast to the findings of the official reports.

It took a two-wheeler from Balbharati a little over six minutes to reach Paud Phata one evening, and seven-and-a-half minutes another evening. At 10.45am, a car completed this journey in seven minutes. An autorickshaw, during peak evening traffic hours, took just under nine minutes.

Unlike the reports done by PMC-hired consultants, presumably with scientific tools, TOI did the survey using just a stopwatch.

But the findings raise a question: if it takes under 10 minutes to travel the existing route, how essential is a projected five-minute corridor?

TEST DRIVE

Ground Report

TOI reporters picked random dates and travelled on the stretch between Paud Phata and Balbharati during peak hours to record the time taken for the commute. The journey, whether in a car, autorickshaw or on a two-wheeler, always ended under 10 minutes

By two-wheeler:

Saturday (March 28, 2026) — 7.18pm — Balbharati to Paud Phata — 7 min 28s

Sunday (April 5, 2026) — 7pm — Balbharati to Paud Phata — 6 min 14s

Wednesday (May 27, 2026) — 5.55pm — Balbharati to Paud Phata — 8 min 3s

Monday (June 1, 2026) — 10.30am — Paud Phata to Balbharati — 6 min 54s

By auto:

Friday (April 10, 2026) — 10.30am — Paud Phata to Balbharati — 6 min 32s

Friday (April 3, 2026) — 6.46pm — Paud Phata to Balbharati — 8 min 56s

By car:

Friday (Nov 21, 2025) — 7.58pm — Balbharati to Paud Phata — 8 min 17s

Monday (June 1, 2026) — 10.30am — Paud Phata to Balbharati — 9 min 24s

Citizens move court, want updated study

Residents, environmentalists and citizens' groups, opposing the proposed elevated road argue that a five-minute travel gain cannot justify felling thousands of trees, disruption of aquifers and destruction of an essential oxygen reservoir that sequesters carbon and cools the environment. In short, irreversible damage to the fragile ecosystem of Vetal Tekdi cannot be the price paid for a mere 2.1km stretch.

Prajakta Divekar, a member of the Vetal Tekdi Bachao Kruti Samiti (VTBKS), told TOI, "Litigants in the Supreme Court case against the road, Sushma Date and Sumita Kale, have submitted a representation to the Maharashtra State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), requesting that the BBPP Road project undergo a fresh and comprehensive environmental assessment before any approval is granted. They have pointed out that the environmental study done by PMC was conducted in 2021 and may no longer reflect the present ecological conditions of Vetal Tekdi. They have urged authorities to conduct new studies covering all seasons of the year, including detailed assessments of biodiversity, groundwater recharge, wildlife habitats, and the broader ecological importance of the hill."

"They have also requested that the project's impact be evaluated alongside other planned infrastructure developments in the area," she added.

According to the representation made by the litigants, the road proposal has changed significantly since earlier studies were conducted, making a fresh environmental review necessary. "The petitioners have also called for a transparent public consultation process, so that residents of Pune can participate in decisions affecting one of the city's most important green spaces. We want any future decision taken to be based on up-to-date scientific data and a careful assessment of the long-term environmental consequences for Vetal Tekdi," Divekar further said.

"VTBKS has maintained that the tekdi plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and climate resilience in Pune, and that its ecological value — which is already recognised by the SC, Bombay high court, and CEC (Central Empowered Committee) — must be fully considered by PMC before any construction begins," she said.

While many citizens have said that they want a city that preserves its shrinking urban green spaces, rather than supporting a project they believe will only add choke points for traffic at the entry and exit, there are others who also feel this infrastructure will be crucial.

Huge Cost to Nature

Vetal Tekdi is a 65-million-year-old extinct volcano that serves as a vital urban forest reserve and one of the ‘lungs of the city'. Its environmental benefits are extensive, ranging from water security to climate regulation.

- Ancient Aquifers: A major groundwater recharge zone, the hill's aquifers store 73,143.73 crore litres of water, which recharge underground streams and provide one-third of Pune's total water supply

- Wetlands: The site contains wetlands formed from an old stone quarry that now sustain diverse flora and fauna. These wetlands hold approximately 4.91 crore litres of pristine rainwater that remains untouched by industrial or commercial pollution

Air Quality and Climate Regulation

- Oxygen Production: The presence of thousands of trees on top of Vetal Tekdi make it an essential oxygen reservoir amid a concrete jungle

- Carbon Sequestration: The large expanse of vegetation on the hill captures atmospheric carbon dioxide, providing a massive sequestration service

- Cooling Effect: Large urban forests like Vetal Tekdi help mitigate the ‘urban heat island' effect by cooling land surfaces and air through shade and evapotranspiration

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Balance

- Species Hotspot: It is a biodiversity hotspot and home to various birds like peacocks, trees, plants and insects. Specific taxa identified include odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), lepidopterans (butterflies and moths), and numerous avian species. Beyond providing a habitat, these species contribute to pollination, nutrient cycling, and the overall resilience of the city's environment

- Pollution and Noise Control: The forest acts as a natural buffer, providing pollution control and noise reduction for surrounding residential areas of Kothrud, Pashan, and Bavdhan

Source: Valuation of the Environmental Services of an Urban Forest - A Case Study of ‘Vetal Tekdi’ Pune By Dr. or Prof Priti Mastakar, Gokhale Institute, Atharva Kulkarni and others

Citizens' Quotes

When I found out that SC has greenlit the BBPP Road over the hill, I was very happy that Kothrud residents can look forward to a better and quicker way to travel. However, it seems environmentalists have again protested and brought a stay on this work by going to the SC once more, and the latter has directed PMC to obtain environmental clearance again. In actuality, construction of this road will be beneficial to the environment. Generation of harmful gases will be reduced with less traffic, so the need for trees to absorb them will also reduce considerably. Perhaps the environmentalists do not have a technical background and are not aware of this

— Vasant S Kanitkar | Structural consultant

When Pune was spread across 80sqkm, it had 400km of roads. Today it has 2,500km of roads across 350sqkm. There is mismanagement of resources by the authorities. Instead of fulfilling demands like better access and frequency of public transportation, adequate piped water, cycle tracks and world class roads, they are focused on building supply side infrastructure. This only creates induced demand for more personal vehicles, leading to higher pollution levels. The solution is to implement a system where people, not necessarily vehicles, are moving

— Ameet Singh | Economist

The new road might not solve the issue of congestion on Law College Road as authorities have failed to analyse the root cause. What seems to be the ‘obvious' solution can make the problem worse, as phenomena like induced demand and Braess' Paradox demonstrate. Traffic surveys conducted by PMC were shallow and of poor quality. A PMC official stated that the new road would save an average of 13 minutes. Our data shows that 94% of the time, it takes much less to cross the stretch even today. There are easier, cheaper, and faster solutions, like boosting PMPML bus frequency, installing medians and uniform road width

— Amit Garde | Technologist

Not a priority this year: PMC chief

We are currently waiting for the environment clearance for this project as directed by the court. It will be a long time before anything is done for this road. It is not a priority project for us this year. The civic administration is working on the road, but we are also looking at several other infrastructure projects to improve mobility across the city, so this is not something that will be a priority this year at all

— Naval Kishore Ram | PMC commissioner

Political Representatives

If you travel via Nal Stop during peak hours, especially from Law College Road towards Paud Phata, you will most likely be stuck in traffic. This points to the need for the elevated road passing through the tekdi. Having said this, what the residents are protesting for is not wrong either. But there has to be some compromise somewhere. The kind of congestion seen on roads today brings traffic to a standstill and causes a lot of pollution. As long as compensatory plantation is done and minimal trees are cut, citizens should focus on what is important for development, which will serve everyone

— Manjushree Khardekar | Corporator, Ward 29 (Deccan Gymkhana-Happy Colony)

It is important to deal with the traffic issue, but the environment has to be looked after. There are very few tekdis left in the city and we should not destroy what remains. A lot of citizens have conducted plantations there years ago and so, several trees on the hill are decades old. We need the road, but not at the cost of such environmental damage. Serious thought must be given to projects like this as PMC can talk about transplantation, but it has not had much success in this regard and doesn't have space for new plantation either

— Ramchandra Kadam | Corporator, Ward 11 (Rambaug Colony-Shivtirthnagar)

We don't need this road. Vetal Tekdi should not be touched at all. It is not just a green lung for the city but also has several aquifers and rich biodiversity that will be disturbed if we build anything there. More importantly, PMC has given several tree cutting permissions in the recent past and must first work on completing compensatory plantation for these projects. There are more alternatives to reduce traffic across the city and even Law College Road, which includes strengthening the public transport system. Once every other measure is exhausted, then PMC can look at this project, keeping in mind the environmental cost. I have given a letter to the PMC chief two months ago demanding that an environment development plan be prepared, but have yet to hear from him

— Datta Bahirat | Corporator, Ward 7 (Gokhalenagar-Wakdewadi)

There are people who are naysayers and oppose everything, while there are those who are pro-road. I want to know what the remaining people want to say. I am open to all three options: elevated road, tunnel or no road at all. If by an elevated road, there will be noise pollution on the tekdi visited by hundreds of people, it is not right and I oppose that. But considering the growing traffic volume, we also have to look at how this part of Pune will be in 2030 and whether existing roads will be able to support traffic. If not, then is an elevated road the only solution?

— Siddharth Shirole | MLA, Shivajinagar