Citizens' Arai protest continues in Pune

The town planning department's three-day hearing on suggestions and objections given by a group of activists on a proposal to change the status of a plot of land on Vetal Tekdi from 'hilltop/ hill-slope zone' and include it in 'public/ semi-public zone' concluded on Wednesday.

Green activists have objected to the proposed project of Automotive Research Association of India (Arai) on the hill.
The town planning department will issue a letter to the forest department and hold a separate hearing, apart from a spot visit, before submitting its report to the government. The state government had proposed the change to pave way for additional construction on Vetal Tekdi for Arai.

The public hearing saw activists and residents of the area strongly objecting to the proposed change of zone and the project. They also raised questions about the existing building of Arai on Vetal Tekdi, alleging that it was standing on reserved forest land, where no construction was allowed.

Various non-governmental organisations, social organisations, senior citizens' groups, resident of the surrounding area and green organisations submitted their objections to the department.

Town planning deputy director AB Patil said, "Most of the objections were about construction on forest land. We need to know whether the existing and proposed construction is on forest land. We will be issuing a letter to the forest about this and other related matters. I will make a spot visit and then submit the report to the government."