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Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Zone 1 has the most parks but the least green cover, zone 3 leads in open space: PMC report
PUNE: Despite having the highest number of parks, Pune's zone 1 has the least green cover in terms of area whereas zone 3 – home to fewer but larger parks – has maximum open space in the city. These are the findings of the Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC's) latest Environmental Status Report (ESR) 2024–25. Zone 1 has the most parks but the least green cover, zone 3 leads in open space: PMC report As per the ESR 2024-25, zone 1 – which includes densely populated areas such as Yerawada, Vishrantwadi, Vadgaon Sheri, Dhole Patil Road, Nagar Road and Kharadi – has a total of 52 parks. However, the combined area of these parks adds up to just 3,223.12 square metres, averaging about 62 square metres per park which is barely enough for public recreation. Zone 1 residents have repeatedly raised concerns about this scenario. Sonu Adsul, a resident of Vishrantwadi, said, 'Our area is densely populated but there is not a single large park.' By contrast, zone 3—which covers Warje-Karvenagar, Sinhagad Road, Dhankawadi and Sahakarnagar—has just 40 parks yet boasts a whopping 943,514.08 square metres of parkland which includes larger green spaces like the Rajiv Gandhi Biodiversity Park and several hill zones, making it the most spacious zone in terms of greenery. Fewer parks, more pressure in zone 4 Whereas zone 4 – comprising areas such as Kondhwa, Yewalewadi, Hadapsar, Mundhwa, and Bibwewadi – has only 33 parks (568,646 square metres), which is the lowest among all the zones. Despite rapid growth in real estate and the information technology (IT) sector, this zone lags behind in terms of open green spaces. Experts point out that development plans have failed to reserve adequate land for public parks in this high-density zone. Focus on eco-restoration, not artificial greenery Sachin Punekar, botanist and former member of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) tree authority committee, has raised serious concerns over the PMC's recent claims of increasing the city's green cover through the development of public gardens and the plantation of trees. According to him, this approach lacks ecological depth and fails to address the real environmental needs of the city. 'The PMC is focusing on increasing the number of parks and planting decorative or exotic trees that look green but do not contribute meaningfully to the city's ecological health,' Punekar said. He pointed out that the greenery visible in many urban parks is largely aesthetic, featuring ornamental plants and foreign species that do not support local biodiversity. He emphasised that such greenery, while visually appealing, offers little ecological benefit and cannot substitute natural ecosystems. Instead, he urged the PMC to prioritise restoration of natural, eco-sensitive zones in and around Pune. He specifically mentioned areas such as the Ramnadi basin, Mula river and its confluence zones, Naik Bet (island) near the Mula-Mutha, and Taljai Tekdi among others. 'These are ecologically rich pockets that play a vital role in biodiversity conservation, groundwater recharge, and maintenance of ecological balance. Unfortunately, the PMC has completely ignored them in its environmental planning,' he said. Punekar recommended that such zones be officially declared as biodiversity heritage sites (BHSs) or biodiversity ownership and development (BOD) areas, ensuring their long-term legal protection and ecological management. He further criticised the PMC for failing to undertake any genuine eco-restoration project in recent years. According to him, the civic body is misleading citizens by showcasing artificial forest patches or manmade green spaces as examples of improved ecological cover. On his part, Ashok Ghorpade, chief superintendent of the PMC garden department, said, 'We have developed gardens based on the reserved land shown in the city's development plan (DP). That is why some areas have fewer gardens. But the number of gardens will increase in future as the merged villages have now come under PMC limits.'
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
ESR's claim of beneficiaries of property tax discount for green building norms compliance doubling under PMC questioned
1 2 Pune: PMC's latest Environment Status Report (ESR), published on Tuesday, shows that the beneficiaries of its 'green building norm property tax discount' doubled in the last six years. However, are these effects reflecting on ground? This is the question being asked by citizens, activists and experts, while demanding better scrutiny of compliance from the civic administration. The 'green discount' of 5-10% in property tax is offered to property owners who have installed solar and vermicomposting systems. Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) ESR data states that around 86,000 property owners benefited from it in 2019-20, rising to around 1.5 lakh in 2024-25. Beneficiaries crossed the 1-lakh milestone in 2020-21 for the first time and remained above this mark till the last financial year (FY). You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune But environmentalists pointed out that the civic body does not have a robust system to check if these green building facilities are even functioning properly. Refuting this, PMC officials claimed they conduct surprise checks and direct property owners to maintain the facilities if any shortcomings are found during the visits. As per PMC data, civic areas hosted around 8.5 lakh properties prior to 2017. After the merger of 11 villages, this increased to around 10 lakh. Thereafter, nearly 2 lakh properties were added to the tax ambit of PMC after the merger of 23 villages in 2021. At present, the total number of properties under PMC limits is at least 12.5 lakh. PMC set a target of Rs2,492.83 crore in revenue from building permissions for FY 2024-25, and a similar expectation of Rs2,549.79 crore from the property tax department. Interestingly, while the property tax department mopped up around Rs2,360 crore in this fiscal, the building permissions department surpassed its collection as well as its own target, drawing in around Rs2,600 crore. In the previous 2023-24 fiscal as well, the building permissions department earned over Rs2,300 crore, surging ahead of property tax collections of around Rs2,268 crore. Amid the evident rise in building permissions in the city, activists are insisting that vigilance must be heightened to ensure green compliance. Social activist Vijay Kumbhar said that PMC needs to ensure regular inspections. "The civic body made this installation of green facilities compulsory, so many societies have done it. Now, PMC should make sure these are functional," he told TOI. Suhas Patwardhan, chairman of the Pune District Co-Operative Housing Federation, echoed, "These facilities are the need of the hour. They are not only helping housing societies but are also good for the environment by reducing use of fossil fuels. Our organisation creates awareness to promote such facilities in societies. However, the implementation definitely lacks consistency." Avinash Sakpal, head of PMC's property tax department, told TOI, "The civic administration carries out surveys annually with the help of ward offices. If any property owner is found to have failed in maintaining the facilities, health officials of ward offices submit reports, and the tax discount is scrapped accordingly."
Time of India
11 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Experts rubbish PMC's claim of noise levels within limits
1 2 Pune: The civic body's recent Environment Status Report (ESR) has stated that noise levels under its jurisdiction have remained below permitted levels, contrary to claims of several studies and experts. As per the report, noise levels in industrial, commercial, residential, and silence zones were less than the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The limits for various zones range from 50-75 dB(A) for daytime, and 40-70 dB(A) at night. The Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000, state that areas within 100m of hospitals, educational institutions, and courts are designated as silence zones. For its findings, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out studies near busy markets, bus stations, hospitals, and educational institutions. Samples were taken from Navi Peth, Ramoshi Gate, Pulachiwadi, Katraj Lake, Phadke Haud Chowk, Erandwane, Rajaram Bridge, Ramwadi Octroi Naka and more for residential areas; commercial zones surveyed include Nal Stop, RTO, Swargate, Mandai, Bremane Chowk, KK Market, Ambedkar Chowk, and Wadgaon Budruk. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Singapore's Hip New Dining and Drinking Spots Epicure Asia Read More Undo You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune But experts pointed out that PMC also needs to provide details on its research methodology and analysis. Environmentalist Ravindra Sinha told TOI, "The civic body lacks a proper monitoring system for noise pollution. There should be consistent scientific tracking and assessment of sound levels at different times and locations. PMC is not equipped for this. So, any figures pertaining to noise pollution declared by PMC need be taken with a pinch of salt. " Mahesh Shindikar, head of the applied science department at CoEP Technological University, echoed, "It is tough to believe that PMC areas don't surpass prescribed noise limits. The civic administration should provide data and other facts based on which this conclusion was reached." To this, civic officials refuted that other measures — like directives of various authorities — have also played an important role in bringing down noise levels. An official of PMC's environment department told TOI, "Supreme Court banned fireworks that produce noise above 125 decibels. Bombay high court has also issued an order prohibiting use of loudspeakers at night. Prior police permission is required to use loudspeakers for any festival or public event. All this is creating awareness and helping curb noise levels." PMC officials also said directives have been given to install barriers and acoustic barriers near construction areas; tree plantation along roads can help reduce noise levels, too.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Potholes, poor road surface leads to snarls at RTO Chowk
1 2 Pune: Long queues of vehicles have become a common affair at the RTO Chowk on Raja Bahadur Mill Road, irking commuters. Several potholes and rough road surfaces are hampering vehicular flow, and the snarls become chaotic during rush hours. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out pothole repairs recently; however, commuters reported that the work was of inferior quality, and the tarring was likely to loosen and pose a risk, especially for two-wheeler riders. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "I spend a long time just crossing the junction. The road surface is also bumpy, resulting in vehicles moving slowly and causing congestion," said Anup Jadhav, who travelled from RTO Chowk towards Pune Station. Saket Pujari, a regular visitor to the RTO office, said traffic near the RTO junction has become chaotic. "Two stretches—Pune Station to RTO Chowk and Sangam Bridge to RTO Chowk—witness long queues of vehicles almost every day. There are significant instances of wrong-side driving. Those entering and exiting the RTO premises are facing a lot of trouble. Despite the RTO office being nearby, the authorities are not able to find solutions to the problem," Pujari said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Japanese hair growth method Hair's Rich Learn More Undo Commuters have been demanding an alternate road link from the railway's land towards the Juna Bazaar Chowk, and the widening of the existing rail underpass to reduce the traffic burden at the chowk. Officials from the PMC's road department said they are initiating pothole repairs and resurfacing at all major junctions, including RTO Chowk. "We undertook resurfacing of the road recently. However, if there are complaints regarding potholes, our team will inspect the road stretches to carry out repairs," a civic official said.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Retired civic employee duped of Rs8L in KYC update fraud
Pune: A 65-year-old retired Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) employee, now living in Baramati, recently filed a complaint with the Baramati city police after losing Rs8 lakh in a KYC (Know Your Customer) update fraud in April. According to an officer from the Pune Rural police, the woman received a call in April from an unknown individual claiming to be her bank representative. "The caller informed her that she needed to complete her KYC immediately to prevent her bank account from being frozen. This fraudulent call ultimately led to her significant financial loss," the officer said. "The man sent the woman a message regarding completing the process. The woman believed him as the message displayed her bank's logo. The woman then shared the details of her two bank account numbers with the man, along with her debit card details," the officer said. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Within a few minutes, Rs8 lakh was siphoned from her two bank accounts. The woman filed an online complaint and following preliminary investigations, a case was registered with the Baramati City police. tnn
