Latest news with #Bansode
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Unidentified person steals ATM card, loots ₹48,000
Pune: The Vishrambaug police have lodged a case against a person for stealing another person's ATM card and withdrawing ₹48,000 from the latter's bank account on May 11. The FIR was lodged on May 14. Badrinath Shantinath Bansode, 45, of Sinhagad Road lodged a complaint with the police stating that while trying to withdraw money using his ATM debit card, the unidentified person said that cash cannot be withdrawn from the machine. While pretending to help the complainant to withdraw money from the teller machine, he replaced the original ATM card with a duplicate card. Later, after finding ₹48,000 debited from his bank account, Bansode approached the police. The police have invoked BNS Sections 318 (4) in connection with the incident. A separate detection branch (DB) team has been formed to arrest the accused, police said.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PCMC commissioner vows to continue work on RFD project despite protests
Pune: Activists, citizens, and environmentalists staged protests on Sunday at Pimple Nilakh against the Riverfront Development (RFD) project by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). However, municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh made it clear that the project would not be halted and work would continue as planned. 'The RFD will not be stopped. Work is ongoing, and there is no immediate reason to halt it. The project has received clearance from the National Green Tribunal, and the Bombay High Court has dismissed the petition by environmentalists,' Singh said while addressing the media on Monday. During Sunday's protest, deputy speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode met with protesters on the Mula riverbank. Bansode expressed concerns over the project and stated he would request the PMC and PCMC commissioners to halt the riverfront development work. The project, which is estimated to cost ₹275 crore, spans a 20 km stretch in PCMC's jurisdiction, with work currently ongoing on an 8 km stretch. Singh explained that Bansode raised the concerns of environmentalists, and he briefed him on the legal proceedings, including the National Green Tribunal's clearance and the necessary no-objection certificates from various government bodies. 'We have followed all legal protocols and received environmental and other necessary clearances. The project will move forward as planned,' Singh confirmed. Meanwhile, on April 27, environmentalists raised further concerns over alleged illegal tree felling in the city, linking it to the riverfront development. In response, Bansode urged the municipal authorities to halt the ongoing work.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pune: Citizens' movement against RFD gains momentum amid PMC, PCMC talks of revising plan
Opposition to the Riverfront Development (RFD) project in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad has gained fresh momentum, with Sunday's large public protest at Shahid Kamthe Garden, Pimple Nilakh, marking a new phase. Hundreds of residents, activists, and environmentalists came together, demanding a full review of the RFD plan instead of isolated corrections. 'The rivers play a crucial role in the development of both Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cities. The untreated domestic and industrial sewage is polluting the river significantly. To carry decoration work along the flood plain areas of the rivers, a huge amount of construction waste is being dumped, which leads to shrinking of the river belt,' said Maruti Bhapkar, who was part of the protest. 'The decisions are made based on economic benefits and the scientific view is completely neglected in the process. The project is not to rejuvenate our rivers but to destroy our city and hence we are opposing the ongoing destruction work along the riverbank,' she added. Anna Bansode, deputy speaker of the legislative assembly, visited the protestors and, after being briefed on illegal tree felling and environmental concerns, instructed the municipal commissioners of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad to halt ongoing work. 'I have issued instructions to stop the work,' Bansode said, adding that an inquiry will be conducted and discussions held with the chief minister and deputy chief ministers. Bansode also promised strict action against illegal tree-cutting and other violations flagged by citizens. Earlier, after facing sustained opposition, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had announced it would revise RFD plans impacting the Ramnadi-Mula devrai (sacred grove) and avoid tree felling on an eight-hectare site. The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has also ordered its environment, garden, and tree authority departments to draw up a fresh, conservation-focused proposal within two months. 'About the halt of work, I haven't received any such instruction as of now. We have taken all the necessary approvals from respective experts' bodies including the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and a few others. The case was also being reviewed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), and all necessary legal permissions were obtained and hence the work is going on accordingly,' said Shekhar Singh, commissioner, PCMC. 'About the objections raised by people, we had meetings with them from time to time. One such meeting was also held recently in last week and we took some suggestions from them. We are working on those,' he said. The RFD is a major state-backed project worth thousands of crores, executed in phases. PMC claims that work from Sangamwadi to Bund Garden Bridge is 80% complete and targeted for completion by June. However, the project has faced stiff resistance over the alleged destruction of wetlands, mass tree cutting, and disruption of river ecosystems. Currently, active work between Wakad and Sangvi — particularly in Pimple Nilakh — has led to large-scale tree felling by PCMC, while PMC has also marked trees for removal along its riverbanks. Future phases are expected to extend work to the Indrayani and Pavana rivers as well. Citizens and experts argue that the project will cause significant environmental damage. They point to the loss of riverbank biodiversity, threats to bird species, and the destruction of rocky riverbeds and natural floodplains. Thousands of mature trees, vital for bird habitats and river health, are at risk. Environmentalists warn that the project focuses more on beautification than actual river rejuvenation. There are also concerns about the destruction of natural and cultural landmarks, including ancient temples and wells along the riverbanks. The removal of rocky beds and natural islands is expected to severely affect aquatic ecosystems and migratory birds. Prajkta Mahajan of the Pune River Revival group said the protest was a culmination of month-long citizen efforts. 'We met multiple leaders, submitted memoranda, and held chain protests across the city. Around 3,000 people gathered demanding a complete halt to tree cutting, untreated sewage discharge, and riverbank destruction. The public response has been overwhelming, and we will continue our fight,' she said.
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
All objections addressed, River Rejuvenation Project will not be halted: PCMC chief
During Sunday's protest in Pimple Nilakh area, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode, met the agitators on Mula river bank and said he will ask PMC and PCMC commissioners to stop the River Front Development project work. The project is estimated to cost Rs 275 crore and PCMC will be implementing it on a 20 km stretch in its jurisdiction. Currently, work on a 8 km stretch is underway. Environmentalists told Bansode about the 'illegal tree' felling in the city and the activities carried out under the 'guise' of the RFD project. Bansode said the 'illegal' tree felling under the guise of the RFD project was wrong and expressed concern over the fact that riverbed is being narrowed due to dumping of debris earth Bansode assured that an inquiry into the matter would be conducted, and discussions would be held with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers before making a decision on the project. When asked about whether Bansode spoke to him, the PCMC chief said, 'The Deputy Speaker raised the concerns expressed by the evironmentalists with him. I told him about the entire issue. About how the matter had gone before the National Green Tribunal, how enviromental clearance and amended environmental clearance have been received for the project. He was told about the NoCs received from the irrigation department also from central government institutes.' In light of past developments and all legal approvals and clearances, the PCMC chief said the project will go ahead. 'I have informed the Deputy Speaker about our stand,' he said. About the allegation from activists that around 40,000 trees along the riverbanks were cut down or destroyed under the pretext of transplantation, the PCMC commissioner said, 'I don't know where the figure of 40,000 trees has come from. Currently, we have undertaken work on 8 km stretch in Pimple Nilakh area. Here, we would be cutting down 300 trees. Some of them are invasive, exotic species which we will have to cut down. These trees are not in a position to be transplated. The government wants us to remove them. But we are compensating this loss by planting and transplanting trees four to five times. At least 1,000 trees will be transplanted. We will do our best to ensure that the green loss is compensated by a much high degree.' Singh said they have also changed the design at some places which will help save 700 trees. 'At some places, the design change, especially while constructing the bunding wall for flood control, will help save 700 trees.' Describing the project as River Rejuvenation Project, the commissioner said, 'It is River Rejuvenation Project not River Front Development Project.' 'No one is talking about the fact that we will be channelling the nullah water into our sewage treatment plants, and only after the water is treated, it will be released in the river. We are setting up STPs at several places where they were never set up. We are upgrading the existing STPs. In short, we are undertaking augmentation of the STP network. Besides, the drainage network is being expanded and overhauled,' Singh said. The activists project threatens to destroy biodiversity, narrow the riverbed, and increase the risk of flooding. 'These issues have been discussed threadbare with envirnomentalists before the NGT. We have addressed all concerns raised so far,' he said. The PCMC chief said he would again be holding a presentation and press conference on the issue to explain the project in greater details to journalists, citizens and activists.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Time of India
Ugandan woman booked for forcing compatriot into flesh trade in Pune's Sangvi
Pune: The Sangvi police have registered a case under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act against a woman from Uganda for forcing a 25-year-old woman from her country into the flesh trade. This action followed a raid on a flat in Radhanagar in Sangvi on Thursday night. Crime branch officials of Pimpri Chinchwad received a tip-off, prompting the raid. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Senior inspector Mahesh Bansode of the Sangvi police told TOI, "Both the women are not cooperating with the investigators." "The older woman, who was booked in the case, ran the flesh trade racket from the flat she rented. She forced her compatriot into the trade by promising her good money," he said. The two women have been staying in Pune since 2019. "They claimed they lost their passports. We are checking on which visas these women had come to India and their purpose of stay," Bansode said. "We will file a separate complaint against them if they are found staying illegally (overstaying) in India after reviewing their documents from the immigration officials," he added.
