Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Monday approved a proposal to lease a 0.91-hectare plot in Punawale, reserved for an educational institute, to a private organisation for 30 years amid strong objections from residents and corporators across party lines. The lease, cleared for Rs 7 crore, paves the way for a privately run school on civic land.Several members and residents had urged PCMC to instead develop and manage its own school on the site. The proposal, earlier forwarded to the general body by the standing committee after public concerns were raised, will allow the private entity to establish and operate an educational institution for the duration of the lease.The decision triggered heated debate in the House, with corporators arguing that the tendering process was completed during administrative rule, limiting elected representatives’ role in shaping the plan. Sachin Londhe, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Societies Federation, said public objections had been ignored. “Residents had clearly voiced their concerns, yet the proposal went through. We will continue to oppose it,” he said.Yuva Sena’s city unit president Chetan Bendre echoed similar sentiments, saying most corporators, including those representing the locality, opposed the move. “Despite widespread resistance, the proposal was approved. It sets a troubling precedent that public and elected representatives’ objections can be overlooked,” he said.BJP corporator Rahul Kalate, who represents Punawale, argued that the area’s rapid growth would require more public educational infrastructure. “PCMC should have built its own school,” he said, pointing to the success of its CBSE institute in Wakad as a viable model.The residents also highlighted the need for quality municipal schools, especially as private school fees continued to rise. Some corporators suggested that if leasing was unavoidable, a portion of seats should be reserved for students recommended by PCMC.NCP corporator Priyanka Kudale questioned why the corporation could not establish its own school despite significant spending on infrastructure and beautification projects. “If crores of rupees can be spent on Smart City initiatives and flyover beautification projects, the corporation should also be capable of running a school,” she said.Defending the decision, leader of the House Prashant Shitole said expanding access to quality education was essential. He cited education reforms in Delhi as a positive example. “Parents are finding it increasingly difficult to secure admissions in quality schools. There is a need to create more options for students and ensure access to better educational facilities,” Shitole added.
