A citizens' collective in Pune has raised serious allegations against the city's municipal body, claiming it is attempting to fast-track the environmental approval process for a contentious road project that cuts through a prominent hill. The Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti (VTBKS) on Tuesday accused the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) of compressing critical timelines and limiting the scope of necessary environmental studies for the proposed Balbharati-Paud Phata link road.
Allegations of a Hurried and Flawed Process
The group flagged multiple red flags in the tender process for appointing a consultant to conduct the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). They pointed to a short one-week bidding window and restrictive eligibility criteria as signs of a rushed approach. Furthermore, VTBKS members expressed deep concern over the proposal to allow the initial EIA to be prepared using data from just a single season.
"A single-season study cannot adequately capture the hill's ecological dynamics, including groundwater recharge, biodiversity and seasonal variations," said VTBKS member Prajakta Divekar. She highlighted a stark contradiction, noting that in 2019, a consultant hired by the PMC itself had recommended a comprehensive four-season study to properly assess ecological impacts.
"The current terms of reference, however, allow the EIA to be prepared initially using data from just one season, with later updates possibly relying on secondary information. How these updates will be incorporated remains unclear," Divekar added.
Compressed Timelines and Secrecy Clause Draw Ire
Echoing these concerns, another VTBKS member, Avanti Gadgil, stated that the tender process appeared unduly hurried. "The bidding window was limited to one week, with the pre-bid meeting and technical inspection scheduled within days of the tender notice. For a project impacting a sensitive hill ecosystem, such compressed timelines raise serious questions," Gadgil remarked.
The citizens' group also objected to a specific clause in the tender document that imposed a non-disclosure agreement. This clause restricted the sharing of any study-related data without prior approval from the PMC. VTBKS argued that projects funded by public money must remain transparent and open to public scrutiny, and such confidentiality clauses undermine this principle.
PMC's Defense and Project Background
In response to these allegations, the Pune Municipal Corporation denied any wrongdoing. A senior PMC official stated that the civic body was following due process and had not predetermined the scope or outcome of the environmental assessment.
"The civic body will strictly adhere to the consultant's recommendations and the expert appraisal mechanism. If the consultant advises a one-season study, it will be done accordingly. If four seasons are suggested, we will comply," the official told TOI.
Regarding the short tender duration, the official explained that the timeline was set according to government norms for consultancy contracts within a specified financial limit. Since only one bidder applied initially, the tender period would be extended after the model code of conduct was lifted to ensure adequate competition, the official added.
On the contentious confidentiality clause, the PMC clarified that its aim was to prevent the circulation of incomplete or draft findings. "Premature sharing of preliminary data can lead to misinterpretation and unnecessary public alarm. Once the EIA report is finalised, it will be disclosed as per prescribed norms," the official said.
The proposed 2.1-km-long and 30-metre-wide Balbharati-Paud Phata link road has been delayed for years due to legal and environmental hurdles. In a significant development in October, the Supreme Court allowed the project to proceed, but with a crucial condition: the PMC must first secure the mandatory environmental clearance (EC) specifically for the section passing through the Vetal Tekdi hill.
