Citizens group Vetal Tekdi Bachav Kruti Samiti has raised concerns over the Pune Municipal Corporation’s approach to securing environmental clearance for the Balbharati–Paud Phata link road, alleging that timelines for the environmental impact assessment are being compressed. The group has objected to the short tender window, restrictive eligibility criteria, and the proposal to begin ecological studies using data from only one season, despite earlier expert recommendations for a four-season assessment to capture biodiversity, groundwater recharge, and seasonal variations across the Vetal Tekdi hill ecosystem.
PMC officials have rejected allegations of a hurried process, stating that the environmental clearance will follow statutory norms and expert recommendations. Civic authorities clarified that the tender timeline complies with government consultancy rules and may be extended to ensure wider participation. PMC also defended confidentiality clauses in the tender, saying preliminary data should not be publicly circulated to avoid misinterpretation, while assuring that the final EIA report will be disclosed as per prescribed environmental regulations once completed.