SC orders PMC to obtain EIA, EC for BBPP; petitioners hail move

The Supreme Court has upheld the need for strict environmental safeguards in Pune’ Balbharati-Paud Phata (BBPP) road project and directed that a _ fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Clearance (EC) be obtained before any work begins.

- Indu Bhagat

The order came in response to an appeal against the Bombay High Court's February 2025 judgment in the case of Sushma Date and Sumita Kale vs Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). During the hearing held on Oct 29, the PMC made a significant disclosure before the apex court, stating that the High-Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMTR) project had been abandoned.

The statement was made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and PMC counsel Abhijit Kulkarni, representing the civic body. However, the revelation has drawn sharp reactions from activists and citizens, who pointed out that the HCMTR continues to remain part of Pune’s notified Development Plan (DP).