Pimpri-Chinchwad’s draft plan sparks backlash over projects

Pimpri-Chinchwad’s contentious development plan faces 49,570 public objections

A revised draft development plan (DP) for Pimpri-Chinchwad city has sparked controversy after receiving over 49,570 objections from residents. The proposed plan covers 173.24 square kilometres and includes reservations for projects such as a slaughterhouse, a police station, and a bus terminal. However, no committee has yet been formed to address the public’s concerns.

The draft DP outlines several key reservations, including a slaughterhouse in Moshi, located between the pilgrimage centres of Alandi and Dehu. It also proposes a police station and bus terminal near the Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhimsrushti in Pimpri. These proposals have drawn strong opposition from local leaders, including the ruling Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe.

Despite the high number of objections, no hearing committee has been established in over four and a half months. The expected committee will consist of five members—four from the state government and one administrator—but its formation remains delayed. Complaints have since been escalated to the Maharashtra State Government.

The timeline for a decision on the DP remains uncertain. If no action is taken before January 2026, the newly elected Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will decide its fate. The PCMC elections are scheduled to conclude by the end of that month, with the final call—whether to retain, cancel, or modify the DP—likely to be made in the early General Body meetings of the new council.

The future of Pimpri-Chinchwad’s development plan now hinges on the upcoming PCMC elections. Until then, objections continue to pile up, and key decisions remain pending. The formation of a hearing committee and the final verdict on the DP will shape the city’s infrastructure and public services in the years ahead.