Pune: Around two years after the demerger of Uruli-Phursungi from PMC limits, the town planning (TP) scheme of these areas remains stalled. PMC officials told TOI that although a move was made to begin works under this scheme before the demerger, its responsibility has now been handed over to the new municipal council for these areas.Uruli-Phursungi were originally among the 11 villages merged into PMC limits back in 2017. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had in 2022 announced commencement of work on the TP schemes in Uruli-Phursungi, dubbing the move as significant due to being the first TP scheme by this civic administration in around four decades.As per civic data, a total of 608.95 hectares was up for development here, including two schemes in Phursungi of 260.67 hectares and 238.50 hectares, and one in Uruli Devachi of 109.78 hectares.
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At the time, PMC was promoting the scheme in various civic areas, pushing benefits of creating infrastructure like drainage and sewage systems, roads, water supply lines, gardens, schools and public hospitals. Benefits were also be extended to private townships. Several urban planners had also long urged PMC to promote TP schemes across its jurisdiction, claiming this would help in better management of civic infrastructure and utilisation of land.However, the Uruli-Phursungi areas, situated on Pune-Saswad Road past Hadapsar, were granted an independent municipal council following years of demerger demands. In 2024, state govt issued a final notification officially removing these locations from PMC limits and establishing a new, combined Phursungi-Uruli Devachi Municipal Council.A senior PMC official, choosing anonymity, told TOI, “PMC had promoted options like TDR and FSI to speed up land acquisition for the TP scheme. However, after the demerger two years ago, it handed over the schemes to the newly formed council.”Sandip Shinde, a senior PMC official, also said, “Works like the appointment of an arbitrator and the processing of suggestions and objections were completed when the scheme was with PMC. However, following the orders by the state town planning department, all documents and details are now with the new council.”Vishal Harpale, a resident of the area and an elected member from Uruli-Phursungi, said, “The TP scheme has both benefits and problems. A group of citizens is opposing the project, while some are in favour. This is creating hurdles in speeding it up. The authorities should make efforts to promote awareness about the project and its benefits.”Senior urban planner Ramchandra Gohad said such initiatives are beneficial, adding, “TP schemes are the right way to promote urbanisation. It is a win-win for citizens and govt. TP schemes should be promoted in the fast-developing suburbs of big cities like Pune.”Interestingly, historians say Pune reportedly pioneered the concept of TP schemes in the country, hailing right from the British era, as early as 1915. Eight major TP schemes were developed in Pune between 1939 and 1989 in areas like Deccan, Gultekdi, Parvati, Sangamwadi, Hadapsar Industrial Estate, etc. However, these schemes had halted in the last three-four decades.
