Speaking about the government decisions, Firodia, chairman of Kinetic Group, said, “We have to save our city and keep it safe and healthy for the future generations. We are not against affordable housing project or anything else. But why does the government want to do it at the cost of the green zone? They can identify the land somewhere else and build the housing projects but not at the cost of the environment. Shivsrushti can also be planned in another area. Why do they want to do it in the BDP zone? Those who have land or houses in these areas can be given transfer of development rights (TDR) and they can find alternate land where they will be able to use it. TDR is something that is in thegovernment’s hands. They shouldn’t take a toll on the environment. Government needs to protect river, trees and environment.”

About her decision to participate in the movement, Kirloskar, a social worker and matriarch of the Kirloskar family, said, “BDP is necessary. No construction should be allowed in the BDP zone and even alongside the riverbanks. This takes a toll on the ecosystem. If you build ‘ghats’ on both the sides, can we call it a river? It will be a ‘nullah’ only; this is objectionable. People have become so self-centred that they choose to look the other way even while spotting a pile of unattended garbage outside their homes. Public opinion needs to be created against the issue. We have to keep up the pressure, speak out and as an 83-year-old, I feel that being with people is all that I can do.”

Ex-chairperson of Thermax limited, Anu Aga, was equally vociferous, as she said, “This is a cause for concern. We need to decide the further course of action by involving youngsters in the initiative; we need to reach out to as many people as possible.” Speaking about the impact of these decisions taken by the government, environmental activist Yadwadkar said, “This will lead to irreversible destruction of the green cover, open spaces, hilltop, hill slopes and rivers, which we are proud of. We should learn to differentiate between growth and malignant growth. These types of projects, under the garb of development, are malignant growths in a city which is already obese.”

NCP leader and parliamentarian Vandana Chavan, who was also present at the closed-door meeting said, “Certain developments are worrying and we have to look at them before it’s too late. While we at least have access to the data from government organisations, the data from special purpose vehicles like Smart City is kept secret. We might come to know about the impact only when the project is done. So it is necessary for people to speak out. People’s participation, an important aspect of democracy, is being curbed by the government. It is important for common people to speak out.”

Almost 50-60 citizens working on various causes attended the meeting. The activists have now decided to take the issues to the public by holding signature campaigns and awareness drives; alongside, social media campaigns will be held to make people aware of the decisions by the government and their environmental impact. While the activists will be at the centre of the campaign, industry leaders will also join in to save the city.

The DP was prepared for Pune in 2006. While it was meant to be readied in 2007, the plan ran into controversy after allegations of the leaders changing reservations for the benefit of builders. The suggestion-objection process done to understand people’s concerns received a positive response, with over 80,000 suggestions and objections submitted. Following the controversy, the state government had decided to appoint a three-member committee to finalise the draft in 2015. Though the committee had submitted its report in September 2015, the final approval from the state government came only in 2017. But while the draft that was released for suggestions and objections had positive points, the final draft came with a lot of changes, which raised the environmental concerns.

█ Anu Aga, ex-chairperson, Thermax

This is a cause for concern. We need to decide the further cause of action by involving youngsters in this initiative; we need to reach out to as many people as possible

█ Arun Firodia, chairman, Firodia Group

We are not against aff ordable housing or anything else. But why does the government want to do it at the cost of the green zone? They can identify land elsewhere and build housing projects

█ Suman Kirloskar, social worker

No construction should be allowed in the BDP zone or along the riverbanks. Public opinion needs to be created about the issue. We have to keep up the pressure and speak out