Hinjewadi and Maan Villagers Protest Road Widening Plans
People living in Hinjewadi and Maan villages are unhappy with the new road widening plans proposed by the authorities. They have clearly said they are not against development, but the current plan will affect their homes, schools, temples, and lives.
Both Hinjewadi and Maan Gram Panchayats have passed formal resolutions in their Gram Sabha meetings, asking the government to reduce the proposed road width within village areas. The situation is now tense between the local people and the planning authorities.
What Is the Road Widening Plan?
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has proposed to build and expand several roads in the Hinjewadi IT Park area. The main idea is to make roads wider—up to 36 meters in some areas—so that traffic can move more smoothly and future growth can be handled better.
However, people in Hinjawadi and Maan villages are not happy with this plan.
Here’s what the government has proposed:
| Road Location | Proposed Width | Locals’ Demand |
|---|---|---|
| Hinjawadi-Maan-Ghodawade State Road | 36 meters | 24 meters (inside village) |
| Other roads within village limits | 32-36 meters | 24-30 meters |
Why Are Villagers Opposing the Plan?
Locals say they are not against better roads, but they want the development to be fair and practical.
Here are the main reasons for their protest:
1. Risk to Homes and Buildings
Most of the affected homes have been standing for 50 to 60 years. If the road is expanded to 36 meters, many of these houses will be demolished. This includes temples, schools, cremation grounds, and even Panchayat offices.
“We are ready to give land for 24-meter roads, but 36 meters will destroy our village,” said Archana Adhav, Sarpanch of Maan.
2. Poor Planning in the Past
Villagers blame the MIDC for not thinking ahead when land was acquired to build the IT Park. Roads were not properly planned earlier. Now, authorities are trying to fix those mistakes by taking more land from villagers.
“If proper roads were planned in the beginning, this issue wouldn’t have come up,” said Sachin Adhav, a resident.
3. Villagers Feel Ignored
People say that decisions are being made without asking them. Even legal homes are being labeled as “illegal structures” and are at risk of being removed.
“We support development, but don’t make us homeless,” said a local villager.
4. Not Against IT Park
Many locals work in or benefit from the IT Park. They say they are not against tech companies or professionals. But the bad planning is now affecting their daily lives and turning people against the very system that brought progress.
Timeline of the Conflict
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Last week | Hinjewadi Gram Panchayat passed a resolution |
| This week | Maan Gram Panchayat passed a similar resolution |
| Coming days | Resolutions to be sent to PMRDA and other government bodies |
What Do Villagers Want?
Villagers from Hinjawadi and Maan have made their stand clear. They are ready to allow road widening, but only up to a reasonable width within village boundaries.
Here’s what they are asking for:
- Inside the village area (Gavthan): Keep road width at 24 meters
- Outside village limits: Maximum width of 30 meters
- Do not remove legal homes
- Do not label old homes as illegal
- Include villagers in the planning process
Quotes from Local Leaders
Archana Adhav, Sarpanch of Maan:
“We are not against development. But the current plan will make us homeless. We want the road width to be reduced inside the village area.”
Ganesh Jambhulkar, Sarpanch of Hinjewadi:
“All villagers agree that the road width inside the Gavthan should be less. We will present our demands to the government.”
Response from PMRDA
In response to the opposition, PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase said:
“We are working according to the approved development plan. The roads are meant to reduce traffic and improve infrastructure for future growth.”
Despite this statement, the villagers are not convinced. They say they will take legal steps if their demands are ignored.
Key Points of the Dispute
| Issue | Villagers’ View | Government’s View |
|---|---|---|
| Road widening | OK, but not beyond 24 meters inside villages | Required up to 36 meters for traffic management |
| Old homes and temples | Should not be removed | Part of widening area if in road plan |
| Legal buildings | Being labeled as illegal unnecessarily | Must follow development norms |
| Consultation with locals | Not done properly | Authorities claim plans follow legal process |
Why This Matters
The Hinjewadi IT Park is one of the biggest tech hubs in Pune. It covers three villages—Hinjewadi, Maan, and Marunji. Thousands of professionals work here. Daily traffic is a big issue, and road upgrades are needed. But at the same time, local villagers should not be forced to give up their homes and history without fair discussion.
This is not just about roads. It’s about how development should be done in a way that respects everyone—locals and new settlers alike.
The fight between Hinjawadi villagers and the authorities shows how important it is to include locals in city planning. Building better roads is important. But it should not come at the cost of people’s homes, memories, and rights. The best solution would be to find a middle path where development and local needs can both be respected.
For now, the message from Hinjewadi and Maan is clear—yes to development, but not at the cost of our homes.
To check more about Hinjewadi, Click Here.
Hi, I’m Rohit Patil. I write about everything related to Hinjewadi – from local news and events to interesting spots and businesses. My goal is to share helpful and easy-to-read content for everyone who wants to know more about this vibrant area. Stay tuned for more!
