PMC Fire Brigade conducted inspections across Pune directed by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, with Chief Fire Officer Ganesh Sonune leading. In Wadgaon Budruk, Narhe and Dhayari on Sunday, 13 PGs and 7 scrap-material shops and godowns were found operating without mandatory permissions and safety measures and ordered shut.

Officials found establishments storing large quantities of plastic, paper, steel, iron scrap, sacks and other inflammable materials without adequate fire-safety equipment and firefighting arrangements. Several operated from rented premises without proper permissions.

On Saturday: 36 establishments inspected across Shivajinagar, Navi Peth and Lohegaon, including 21 PGs and hostels, 13 coaching classes, a study centre and a fitness gym. Notices issued for violations of fire safety norms, BDP zones, road width, firefighting systems, authorised electricity supply, drainage and property tax requirements.

On Friday: 11 PG hostels in Lohegaon and Nimbalkar Nagar sealed for failing to meet fire safety requirements and lacking building permissions, drainage and water clearances, structural audit reports, tax records and fire NOCs.

CFO Sonune stated establishments failing to comply would face closure and legal proceedings. PMC drive will continue covering PGs, student accommodation, coaching classes and hospitals. Educational institutions warned against referring students to unauthorised or unsafe premises.

National Green Tribunal Western Bench imposed environmental damage compensation of ₹7.36 crore on developers of Prayeja City-I for violations of statutory environmental norms. Developers must deposit amount within two months from February 17, 2026, with Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for environmental restoration.

Prayeja City-I is residential-cum-commercial project at Wadgaon Budruk near Sinhagad Road, jointly developed by M/s Bhandari Gelada Associates LLP and M/s Prayeja Developers LLP. Project has total built-up area of 56,292 square metres.

Violations: constructed without prior environmental clearance, consent to establish, and consent to operate. Penalty covers five-year violation period prior to November 16, 2022.

EDC amount of ₹7,36,87,500 calculated by state pollution control board per 2022 guidelines from Central Pollution Control Board. Tribunal upheld calculation.

Case stemmed from 2020 complaint by Pune resident Tanaji Gambhire. October 2020 NGT order directed ₹5 crore interim compensation; Supreme Court set aside this in January 2021 after developers undertook to comply with statutory requirements.

During proceedings, developers argued compensation could be imposed only for violations within five-year limitation period; tribunal accepted this contention.

Prayeja City-II has built-up area not exceeding 20,000 square metres, does not require prior environmental clearance, no penalty imposed at this stage.

The flyover connecting Wadgaon to Rajaram Bridge on Sinhagad Road remains incomplete and is causing daily traffic congestion, worsened by ongoing rainfall.

PMC Status:

• Completed 2.2 km lane on one side
• Opposite side lane of 1.54 km from Indian Hume Pipe to Inamdar Chowk remains incomplete
• Originally scheduled to open June; PMC aimed for end-July finish
• Work missed July deadline

Delay Causes:

• Persistent rain disrupted tarring and ramp work
• Mud on ramps turned to slush, requiring drying time before next work
• Asphalting could not proceed due to rain

Completed Phases:

• Rajaram Bridge Chowk to Vitthalwadi Kaman flyover: inaugurated January 26, 2025
• Vitthalwadi Kaman to Funtime Theater flyover: inaugurated May 1, 2025
• Third phase (1.5 km between Manikbaug and Hingne): scheduled June 15 inauguration, also delayed

Commuters report heavy peak-hour congestion and frustration with PMC planning and management.

The incomplete carriageway of the flyover connecting Wadgaon to Rajaram Bridge on Sinhagad Road is causing inconvenience to daily commuters. Rain has put the road in poor condition.