Residents of Amit Emerald Park Society and Celebration Society in Balewadi fear their access road may be demolished after land surveyor V V Kokare marked boundaries on February 3-4, 2025, erroneously placing the road under private ownership instead of PMC jurisdiction.

The access road was acquired by PMC in 2008 through Floor Space Index (FSI) compensation when the societies were developed in 2007 and 2010 with all necessary PMC approvals. Residents legally purchased flats, paid stamp duty, and received occupancy certificates. Earlier surveys in 2005 and 2010 confirmed their legal standing.

Kokare's boundary marking reassigned the road from survey number 31/1 (the societies' property) to survey number 29 (a private property), effectively transferring it from PMC to private ownership on paper. The surveyor recorded no objections from society members.

The societies immediately filed complaints alleging the error was deliberate. On March 24, society president Dr Vijay Bhilawade and secretary Santosh Chhajed accused the LRO of aiding illegal land transfers and demanded verification of measurements using old survey records, Google Maps, and partition documents. They sought investigation into surveyor Kokare's actions and intervention by the settlement commissioner.

The misrepresentation could allow the private landowner to claim the road, restrict access, and seek demolition, affecting 60 families. Residents have pressed the municipal commissioner for an on-site inspection to ensure the road remains in the public domain.

NHAI has initiated auxiliary service roads within Pimpri-Chinchwad limits: a new 12-metre-wide road alongside the existing 12-metre road, providing 24 metres across stretches covering Punawale, Bhumkar Chowk, Hinjewadi and Balewadi. Three box-structure underpasses have been approved at high-traffic intersections including Punawale, Kiwale, Ravet and Wakad. Widening underpasses at Tathawade and Punawale and expediting pending service-road works across three localities have also been approved. Upgrades to the Aundh-Ravet BRTS Road and a connection between Tathawade Road and Dange Chowk are under consideration.

Tathawade is roughly 8 km from Hinjewadi IT Park; IT hubs in Wakad, Hinjewadi and Baner are within 12 km of Punawale. Proposed Nigdi Station on the Purple Metro Line is about 5 km from Punawale. Hinjewadi-Shivajinagar Metro Line-3 is in advanced stages.

99acres data puts Punawale apartment prices at about ₹7,300 per sq. ft., up 33.9% in three years and 39.0% in five years. Housing.com gives average flat rates of ₹7,782 per sq. ft. in Tathawade, up 8.75% last year, and a 6.9% one-year increase in Punawale. Punawale is described as more affordable than Wakad and Tathawade.

18 homebuyers of Gagan Klara filed complaints with MahaRERA against the builder. The project was marked "lapsed" on the MahaRERA portal. Buyers had paid significant amounts but were left waiting for flats. The builder blamed COVID, approvals, and force majeure for delays. MahaRERA rejected these excuses and ordered possession with delay interest.

Residents of Baner-Balewadi have urged Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to conduct comprehensive future traffic impact study before opening the Balewadi-Kasapate Vasti Bridge, citing growing traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure in the area.

Rapid residential and commercial development has significantly increased traffic pressure. Citizens report frequent traffic jams, haphazard parking and road congestion already affecting daily commuters.

Baner-Balewadi Citizens Forum (BBNM) warned that bridge opening could increase traffic flow on internal roads connecting the two areas, potentially worsening congestion without proper planning.

Demanded measures:

• Traffic signal installation at critical junctions
• No-parking zones declaration
• P1 and P2 parking planning
• Traffic islands or rotaries construction
• Pedestrian infrastructure development
• Heavy vehicle movement regulation
• Traffic signage installation

Upcoming Metro services in the area could add to commuter movement while pedestrian infrastructure remains lacking. Baner and Balewadi are important connectivity routes to National Highway 48 with heavy daily vehicular movement. Several internal roads remain incomplete due to pending land acquisition. Encroachments and unregulated parking by cabs and autorickshaws worsen traffic conditions.

Forum requested PMC immediately initiate traffic study in coordination with Pune Traffic Police before bridge and Metro projects commence.