Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) appointed panel began hearings on Monday to address more than 56,000 objections and suggestions submitted by citizens on the draft development plan (DP) published by the civic body more than a year ago.A senior PCMC official stated that similar objections have been categorised together to streamline the process, with applicants being allotted specific time slots. “Around 2,000 objections were addressed on the first day, the majority of which were repetitive in nature. The hearing process is expected to span nearly three months, after which the panel will finalise the revised draft,” the official said.Under a revised schedule recently approved by the state govt, the civic body must submit the final draft of the development plan for state approval by Dec 31, 2026.The draft DP, published on May 15, 2025, has faced intense scrutiny and public backlash over allegations of “erroneous reservations” on various properties. Resident groups have staged multiple protests demanding the draft be withdrawn, claiming that reservations were unfairly imposed on residential properties—including projects that had already received formal approvals and completion certificates from the municipal corporation.PCMC officials highlighted the city’s explosive growth as the driving force behind the new plan. Since its establishment on Oct 11, 1982, the municipal limits have expanded from 86 sq km to approximately 176 sq km. The population has surged from roughly 10 lakh in 2001 to 17 lakh in 2011, with current estimates placing the figure between 30 lakh and 35 lakh.Officials said the rapid urbanisation, combined with industrial expansion, has strained civic infrastructure. They argue that a comprehensive Development Plan is vital to ensure sustainable growth and prevent haphazard development over the next two decades.The hearings are currently being conducted at G.D. Madgulkar Auditorium in Nigdi. Standing committee chairman Abhishek Barne, a member of the seven-member hearing panel, reviewed the technical aspects of the draft during Monday’s proceedings. The panel also includes retired town planning experts and other nominated representatives.
