Greens doubt legality of Arai structures

Environmentalists on Monday strongly objected to the proposed construction and change in zone of a plot of land on Vetal Tekdi during a hearing in the matter, being conducted by the town planning department.

They felt the existing construction on the hill by the Automotive Research Association of India (Arai) was on reserved forest land. While they objected to new construction, they demanded that if the existing construction is on forest land, it should be brought down.

The state government had in January this year proposed deleting 49 acres on Vetal Tekdi from ‘hilltop/ hill-slope zone’ and include it in ‘public/ semi-public zone’. The change was proposed so that the existing 2.6 lakh square foot construction and the proposed 3.8 lakh square foot construction of Arai could be permitted.

Eminent personalities, such as Vanrai president Mohan Dharia, ecologist Madhav Gadgil and scientist Jayant Naralikar, were present for the hearing.

Dharia did not mince words while reminding the town planning department of its duties. “If you cannot stop constructions which are defacing the city and which harm its environment, there is no need for such a department,” he stated.

Gadgil said the government should spare the hills for the sake of the people. “There is no reason why the Arai wants to have its construction on the beautiful hill when it can easily do it elsewhere. It’s a rich source of biodiversity. Town planning should find out if it’s a reserved forest land. If this is true, the existing construction too should be brought down,” he said, adding that it’s time for tough decisions and strict action by the town planning department.

Naralikar warned that if the government tested the people’s patience it would have to face its wrath. Town planner Anita Benninger said if the land where the construction of Arai was proposed is reserved forest land, the rules did not permit any construction there.

City Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief, Vandana Chavan, said it was important to save the hill for future generations.  Her presence was significant as corporators of the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party had supported the state’s proposal in the Pune Municipal Corporation general body meeting.

The activists stated that the land where the construction is proposed is adjacent to defence land and it would be a threat to defence activities if it was allowed. They urged the deputy director of town planning, AB Patil, to confirm how much land the Arai had elsewhere in the city and see if the proposed project could be shifted there.

Patil patiently heard the suggestions and assured that he would look into them. Green activists gathered at the venue and shouted slogans opposing the proposal.