Inner Ring Road land measurement in Maval halted after farmers' protest, Collector Dudi decides

Pune, November 5, 2026: Land measurement in Maval for the proposed Inner Ring Road has been put on hold for now. Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi took the decision after strong opposition from farmers whose agricultural land is feared to be affected by the project.

The project is that of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA). Dudi had called a meeting at the Collector's office to hear the objections and concerns of the affected farmers. Farmers from seven villages attended: Nere, Sangavade, Darumbre, Salumbre, Dumbre, Dhamane and Pandavwadi.

The farmers demanded that the proposed alignment be changed so that the road does not pass through fertile farmland. They cited the Marunji-Gahunje road, whose alignment was allegedly changed to benefit builders. The farmers said the ring road alignment should likewise be changed in the farmers' favour.

MLA Sunil Shelke, former Minister of State Bala Bhegade, land acquisition officer Dr Vanshree Labsetwar, sub-divisional officer Surendra Navale, Maval tehsildar Vikram Deshmukh and representatives of all seven villages were present at the meeting.

Officials listed the benefits of the proposed road and assured the farmers that no injustice would be done to them. The land acquisition officer also told those present about the demands raised in village-level meetings and the misunderstandings that had spread about the project.

The farmers, however, were not convinced by the administration's explanation. They said clearly that they had not come for compensation or any financial gain. Some farmers even stood up to leave the meeting. Talks resumed after Shelke intervened.

Several farmers then explained why they were opposing the proposed alignment. Farmer Suryakant Sorte, citing the earlier change to the Marunji-Gahunje road, demanded that the route be changed.

Rohan Jagtap pointed to discrepancies in the zoning information provided by the officials and explained how the proposed alignment would harm the farmers. He also presented the objections submitted by farmers, the resolutions passed in gram sabhas and details of an alternative route.

Representatives of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction also raised objections. They included Popat Rakshe, Ramnath Garade, Rambhau Sawant, Kantilal Sorte, Atul Garade and Pradip Sawant.

In view of the farmers' sharp opposition, Dudi announced that the process of measuring land for the proposed Inner Ring Road would be temporarily stopped.