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Chapter -4
Phases in Pune's Development
From Kasba Pane to Cyber Pune
Pune's location was once considered less conducive for urban growth. But
now Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra is rapidly metamorphosing into a
commercial hub. This metamorphism has a very long history spanningoverlOOO
years or more. Pune, which has been hailed as '"Happening City", has not only
survived but it has also prospered continuously during the last 400 years. Up to the
mid seventeenth century, Pune was one of many small garrison towns on the plateau.
Within a century however, this fairly insignificant small town outstripped the older
established towns in its respective region and emerged dominant. In the 19' and 20'
centuries it had undergone significant changes and prospered in various fields.
Referred to as Oxford of East for its educational tradition and Detroit of India for its
post independence industrial development, in the 21*' century, Pune is emerging as a
''Cyber City". The growth and development of Pune is quite interesting. It has seen
many a rise and fall in its long and chequered history under different rulers at
different periods. The growth phases of Pune have been divided into five different
periods, so that one can understand the richness of its culture and reasons for its
success.
4.1 Phases in Pune's Development
Pune served not only as the proud capital of the Peshwas, who headed the
formidable Maratha confederacy but was also the acknowledged capital of the
region of Maharashtra and the symbolic centre of power for larger parts of India.
The period from 1650 to 1817 was the first important phase in the urban
development of Pune. The second phase beginning from the fall of Peshwas from
1818 to 1850 initiated by the confrontation of the Poona (Pune) government: one
among the two major political powers in western India of the time. This
confrontation resulted in the fall of Marathas, the Peshwas and the subsequent
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British occupation of the large Peshawa dominions. Consequently, the political as
well as the urban map of the region was altered. In the third phase, from 1851 to
1900, Pune became the seasonal capital of the Bombay Government and began to
grow rapidly, profiting from the increasingly close links with its prosperous and
powerful neighbour, Bombay (Mumbai). During this period, Pune acquired a new
Indo-British structure, with the declining indigenous city, co-existing side by side
with the slowly expanding British Military and Civil station. In the early twentieth
century, in the fourth phase of its growth, actually the disparity between the
indigenous city and the Camp was getting blurred and urban expansion was
accelerated at all levels. After Independence, Pune's growth was driven by an
industrial base and there was large-scale development of urban infrastructure under
various MIDC and town-planning programmes. The prospect of employment and a
safe, pleasant environment charm lured many people to the city. This has resulted in
the uncontrolled urban sprawl we are witnessing at present. Pune today has emerged
as one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities at the national level and ranks 8th
with a population of more than 30 lakhs and an area of 246 km . The following
account will provide a brief sketch of Pune's growth and urban development
considering five interesting milestones for a better understanding of its
contemporary spatial structure, very necessary to plan for its future development.
4.2 Early and Peshwa Pune (Up to 1817):
The original nucleus of Pune was located in the immediate vicinity of the
confluence of the Mula and Mutha. River confluences have traditionally been
considered sacred by the Hindus and to this fact, is attributed the original name of
Poona: Sanskrit "Punyapur" (Cleanser), which changed into Marathi "Pune" and the
Bridsh "Poona". (Poona gaz, fl: 211, IH: 402; Gadgil, 1952). Pune that has a long
history can be traced from the copper plate inscriptions of the Rastrakuta kings in
the 8" and lO" century. After the Rastrakutas, Pune came under the Yadav Kings of
Daulatabad. During the period from sixth to thirteenth century, Pune served as head
quarters for Hindu dynasties that controlled the West Deccan Region. Later in 1294
AD it came under Mohammedan rule with Muslim invasion of the Deccan. In the
early thirteenth century it was said to be only a small village containing fifteen huts
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around the traditional temples. At the end of the thirteenth century the first traces of
a market town called, 'Kasbe Pune' was developed by an Arab military governor by
combining the villages of Kasarli and Kumbarli to its east. Pune remained largely a
Muslim garrison town for over three centuries (Bhave, 1936 reprinted 1976,Gadgil,
1952).
About 1630,the town of Pune came under a Hindu officer named Shahaji
Bhosle as part of his hereditary estate or "Jagir" granted by the Muslim King of
Ahmednagar. After Shahaji, his son Shivaji succeeded in organizing the Hindu
peasantry in the surrounding region against Muslim Kingdom. Gradually, Shivaji
established the Maratha kingdom and crowned as the first Maratha King in 1674.
After his death in 1680, Pune sank into political oblivion for several years. In 1708,
the Moghul Emperor declared Shivaji's grandson Shahu as Maratha king at Satara.
Several districts including Pune were granted to Shahu by the Moghul Emperor as
his autonomous territory.
Shahu appointed a Brahmin as his Prime Minister or 'Peshwa" (a Persian title
used by the Muslim kings of the Deccan; Poona Gaz, 11) to look after the
administration at Pune. Later 'Peshwa" became hereditary and the second peshwas
BajiRao I made Pune as his residence in 1720. In 1726, Shahu granted him the town
as a part of his 'Jagir" and thereafter, Pune became the permanent official seat of the
peshwas for nearly a century. In 1749, Shahu left the future of the Maratha
Kingdom in the hands of third Peshwa, who was the commander of Maratha forces.
It was with the rise of Peshwa dynasty to power that the fortunes of Pune rose
(Poona Gaz., IH: 405).
But although Pune enjoyed political status and prosperity it did not enjoy
peace. The military activities of the Peshwas brought reprisals and Pune was
ruthlessly attacked several times: like that by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1763, by
Scindia (Maratha chiefs of Gwalior) in 1798, by Holkar (Maratha Chief of Indore) in
1803. In 1803,when the last Peshwa BajiRao U sought the British aid in a clash with
Maratha chiefs, it resulted in the involvement of the British in Peshwa's affairs and
after 1803, the British troops were officially stationed at Pune to protect the City
(Poona Gaz., II: 281-82,369). The end of Peshwa rule came with decisive battle of
Kirkee in November 1817,when the Peshwa's troops were defeated by the British
80
troops. Pune city left with only a small garrison and was occupied by the British
forces in a smooth transition. (Meera Kosambi, 1980).
4.2.1 Physical growth and spatial pattern during first Phase:
The fortified wall town of Muslim Kasba Pune formed the nucleus for later
growth. The fort known as Kille Hissar fort was reserved for the garrison and the
town's Muslim inhabitants. Beyond the inner wall, an outer wall surrounded the
civilian Hindu population consisting of artisans, farmers and traders. In the
earlyl630s, Pune came into Shahaji's (Shivaji's father) possession and soon after,
his enemies attacked it and Pune was burnt and razed to the ground. However,
Shahaji made Pune as seat in 1636, and the town was reconstructed according to its
proto type. Small suburban settlements emerged outside the Kasba, and Pune
enjoyed a brief period of peace and prosj3erity. (Poona gaz., HI: 339,402-3; Joshi,
1971). The kasba was surrounded by fringe of semi rural suburbs. To the east of
Kasba, was the oldest suburb called Shahapur contained cultivators, gardeners,
artisans and petty traders. To the north of the Shahapur was Astapur contained
outcaste communities. The southern suburb of Malkapur was a settlement of traders,
the eastern riverbank suburb of Murtazabad was predominated by Brahmins and to
the south east of Kasba was Mohiyabad, added to it during the visit of Moghul
Emperor Aurangzeb to Pune about 1700 (Gadgil, 1952).
The real growth of Pune dates from the time of Peshwa Bajirao I, when a
systematic expansion of the town was under taken. Once the official status of Pune
as a capital city was confirmed by the Peshwas and his nobles, the town started to
grow organically by accretion. The growth of Kasba took place through the addition
of new localities, which were known as 'Pur' or 'Pura' in the early stages and later
raised, to the status of a 'Peth' (i.e. a large division of town). Gradually the peths
grew to be a fairly self-sufficient. Often a peth was a small town, centering on the
founder's mansion and containing one predominant temple, in addition to several
others. (Gadgil, 1952). The old suburbs were annexed to the Kasba as its new peths.
The old Muslim names of the peths were gradually changed to the Hindu names
following the days of the week. (Local traditions trace the origin of these names to
the customs of holding weekly markets in each peth on a specific day of the week.)
Former Shahapur, Astapur, Mohiyabad, Murtazabad and Malkapur were renamed
Somwar (Monday), Mangalwar (Tuesday), Budhwar (Wednesday), Shaniwar
(Saturday), and Raviwar or Adiwar (Sunday) peths, respectively. A new peth called
Shukrawar (Friday) was eatablished in 1734. (Gadgil, 1952). In 1739, Pune was
described as a prosperous, crowded and well built town, with handsome houses and
an impressive gun factory. (Poona gaz., HI: 405). The Town was further extended in
the 1750's with the addition of five new Peths: Guruwar (Thursday) or Vetal peth,
Ganesh peth, Ganj peth, Musafarjung peth and Nihal or Nagesh peth. The early
growth of Pune was southward, bounded as it was by the river on the north, by the
streams Nagasari and Manik nala in the east and by another parallel stream in the
west, which was later, diverted and has disappeared completely. This was the main
reason for the north-south direction of lines of communication in the city.
The physical expansion of Pune, which had so far been largely southward,
assumed an east-west direction in the late 1760's. In the east, the space between
Nagzari and Manik nala was being brought under settlement. Bhawani peth was
located in this area en route to Sholapur, in 1767. In addition to the Kasba and the
eleven peths, two small localities called Karanpura and the Hashampura, both
absorbed into the Sadashiv peth in 1769 came up. (Gadgil, 1952). Narayan peth was
also established about the same time on a strip of land along the river, to the west of
Shaniwar peth. (Poona Gaz.III: 280).
The last phase in the extension of Pune, which transformed it into a city,
began in the 1780's and seems to have resulted from its growing importance and the
concomitant increase in trade due to royal patronage. In 1781, Ghorpade peth was
founded and formed the southernmost extension of the city. To the north of
Bhavani peth, Raste and Nana peths were established during 1785 and 1790
respectively. The Kasba and its seventeen peths, which constituted the indigenous
city, almost until the end of the 19'*' century, were in place by 1790.
By the end of the Peshawa period the compact structure of the city had
changed a great deal, it was more dispersed. Thus Pune city was not laid out
according any regular plan, as its growth was largely haphazard, with the new peths
attached on to the existing ones like appendages. The peths were largely self-
sufficient and often predominated in specific functions. Each peth had its own sets
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of ethnic mix, shops, temples etc. There were separate residential enclaves for
different castes based on purity, impurity principle. So that the city as a whole
acquired a multi -nucleated cellular structure rather than a unified structure. The
fate of Pune at the time was directly linked to the rise and fall of the Peshwas and
under them (from 1726 to 1817) the city reached its fullest growth.
Table 4.1 Population of Pune from 1760-1901
Sl.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
YEAR 1760 1800 1815 1850 1872 1881 1891 1901
POPULATION 40,000 60,000 130000 85,000 122082 129550 161390 153320
a l£ 80,000
POPULATION GROWTH
Fig 4.1 Population growth of Pune
83
4.3 Indo British Poona *(1818-1850):
The defeat of the Peshwa and the subsequent British occupation of Pune dealt a
staggering blow to the city, from which it began to recover only in the latter half of the
nineteenth century. The event also altered the character of Pune basically and
permanently. With a change in the balance of pxjwer and military tactics, the Maratha
forts in western India were replaced by military cantonments. In many cases, the
cantonment represented a kind of suburban growth, and thus one of the suburban changes
that took place at the end of the 18''' century was the development of Cantonments. In
1818, Pune acquired both a military Cantonment and Civil Lines. With the establishment
of the cantonment and the civil lines, the importance of Pune increased considerably.
About 1822,another cantonment was established at Kirkee, four miles north west of the
Pune cantonment, on the road to Bombay (Mumbai) (Poona gaz.. Ill: 357-58). At first, it
was cavalry cantonment but later it became the centre for other troops. It became the
headquarters for Bombay Sappers and Miners (B.E.G.) (Samita Gupta, 1985).
The Cantonment was totally separated from the City physically and administratively.
In terms of spatial structure the old and the new Pune showed a major difference in
morphology. The land use of different kinds such as administrative, military, commercial
and residential were mixed in the indigenous city, whereas functional separation of land
use was clearly visible in the British sections, with specially demarcated areas for
administrative, military and commercial purposes. The old city presented a picture of
haphazard, unplanned physical growth and congestion, with clusters of houses lining
narrow crooked streets. The houses in the city ranged from the traditional grand 'wadas'
to simple huts. In contrast to the city, the British sections were meticulously planned, had
broad straight tree lined streets, and were very sparsely populated. The population of the
city was largely homogeneous and indigenous to Maharashtra whereas the population of
the British sections was either foreign or immigrant Indian. Thus, in spite of physical
proximity, the City and the British Cantonment remained largely isolated from each other
being poles apart culturally.
* Note: Ojficially the name Poona was changed to Pune in 1962
83a
Khumbar Ves cause way
N
t
Scale: 1.5 inch lo 1/2 Mile
Fig 4.2 Pune in1300AD
References 1 Inner Fort 2. Potters' Gate 3. Kedar Gate 4. Lai Mahal 5 Maval gate 6 Old Stream
Site for later Shanlwar Wada" \ OM stream
Mohiabad g Hindu Temple
Scale: 1 cmtolOOOFeet
Fig 4.3 Pune about 1650
Source: Town planning and Valuation Department (4.1), Bombay and Poona hv Meera Kosamhi, 1980(4.2)
84
Scale: 1.5 inch to 1/2 Mile
Fig 4.3.1 Pune in 1651 AD
Ghorpadi
To Sholapur
Vanavdi
Scale: 3cm to 1 Mile
Fig 4.4 Pune city and Environs, about 1815
Source: Town planning and Valuation Department (4.2.1), Bombay and Poona by Meera Kosamhi, 1980(4.3)
85
Vrideshwar 5
Onkareshwar /
N
t
\^ S ^ e : 2cm to 50()mts
Later Saniwar weda s|fe (AD 1738
Jakate Put
Kedarves
Scale; 1.6 cm to 100 mts
Fig 4.5 Pune in early 17 century
Note: 'Ves' denotes gate or entrance Source: Pune, Queen of the Deccan (Jaymala Diddee, Samita Gupta 2001)
86
Fig 4.6 Pune about 1703
N
t
Scale: 1.5 inch to 1/2 Mile
N
t
About 1700
1700-1760
1760-1817
Fig 4.7 Growth of Pune, 1700 -1817 Source: Town planning and Valuation Department (4.4), Bombay and Poona by Meera Kosambi, 1980(4.5)
87
Growth of peths
N
t
Scale; 1 inch lo 6(X) mts
Fig 4.8 Growth of peths (1300-1789)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Kasba(1300)
Shaniwar (Before1610)
Raviwar (Before 1610)
Somwar (Before1610)
Mangalwar (1663)
Budwar(1703)
Shukrawar(1734)
Guruwar (1750)
Nihal (1755)
(Redev.1789)
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Ganesh (1755)
Narayan (1761)
Bhavani (1767)
Musafarjang (1768-1831)
Sadashiv(1769)
Ghorpade(1781)
Rasta (1783)
Nana (1789)
Ganj (1789)
Source: CDSA. Pane (1991) As refin Pane, Queen of the Deccan (Jaymala Diddee ,Samita Gupta 2001)
88
N
t
Fig 4.9 PuneCity in 1881
\Jo Bombay
To Bqmba
adnagar
To Miraj
Scale; 1.5 cm to 2 Km
Fig 4.10 Pune City in 1885
Source: Bombay and Poona by Meera Kosambi. 1980(4.7), Town planning and Valuation Department (4.8)
89
4.3.1 Urban Expansion During 1851-1900:
After the mid-nineteenth century Pune started to grow at a steady pace. The
arrival of the whole Bombay government at the beginning of the monsoons soon
changed the morphology of the city. Two major events that shaped the civic growth
of the Pune took place in the 1850s. The great Indian Peninsula railway reached
Pune (1858) and the city acquired a municipality. The expansion of the civil lines
resulted in the formation of a suburban municipality in 1884. A new ward, Shivaji
nagar was created in 1891, to the northwest of the city, enclosing part of the
Bhamburda village, and this ushered in the new development of the city beyond the
river as the garden suburbs. By the end of the nineteenth century, the City and the
British sections were no longer separated by open spaces, but appeared to be a single
continuous settlement through the dichotomous urban morphology remained intact.
The two halves, continued however, to represent distinct functions, spatial patterns
and ethnic characteristics. During this period, other than the physical expansion of
the city, some changes were taking place like the horizontal mobility initiated by the
cantonment.
4.3.2 Growth After 1900
The first fifty years of the 20*'' century were the seminal years for Pune, during
which it had prepared itself unknowingly for a new future, after independence.
From the way, the city had grown throughout the second half of the IQ"' century, it
became evident that further development could only take place across the river,
unless it was to extend to the south in a linear way. The barrier of the river had
remained a hindrance for too long. From 1880 to 1920, the growth of the city
received a set back due to the spread of epidemics like plague and influenza. In
spite of a bridge across the river Lakdipul (1761) and the establishment of the
Fergusson College in 1896, there was not much residential development across the
river till the 1920s.
In the plan of the city municipality, which was adopted in 1917, the importance of
constructing a new bridge was recognized. The Navapul or Lloyds Bridge was
therefore a part of the scheme. The development across the river was accelerated
90
when a new bridge was built across it in front of Siianiwar wada in 1924. The move
across the river became official and planned development took place when the
villages of Erandwane and Bhamburda (Deccan Gymkhana/ Shivaji Nagar) were
incorporated into the City limits in the same year. From 1920, till the Second World
War, was a period of rapid spatial extension of the city. The next two decades after
the war were eventful. Plots for middle class housing, public play grounds; schools,
gardens and markets were reserved. There were provisions for metalling and
widening of roads as well as to improve communications within the city. East-west
roads like Laxmi road and Tilak road were developed during this time.
The thirties and forties saw a building boom in all areas. This was also the age of
housing estate and the first small double or triple storey housing blocks.
Construction of bungalows and housing colonies also transformed the western
wards. Infilling process replaced large agricultural spaces on either side of the road
by middle class housing. In the old core and other peths too urban renewal took
place. Pune became the important centre for making of films in the 1930s and 40s.
A large piece of land in the western suburb was taken up by the Prabhat Film
Company, which was moved from Kolhapur to Pune by V. Shantaram (This is now
FTII -Film and Television Institute of India). The underground drainage and sewage
treatment scheme began in the 1920s continued to make progress throughout the
next twenty years. The municipality worked issues like over waste disposal for the
whole city, including the cantonment and suburban municipalities. Electric
streetlights made their appearance in large numbers in the thirties and the first public
bus service began in 1941, started by a private company called Silver Jubilee Motor
Transport.
The Partition of the country after Independence put an enormous strain on the city
and its infrastructure, with the arrival of the refugees from Pakistan. They settled in
the edge of the city, towards the more cosmopolitan Camp, and in the leftover
spaces, literally sandwiched between the Maharastrian and non-Maharastrian
speaking areas. The unparalleled speed with which large numbers of displaced
people poured in brought the first serious strain to the city's infrastructure. The
temporary refugee camps soon became ram shackled colonies, like the ones in
Pimpri village, on the outskirts of Pune. In 1949, in recognition of its importance as
an education center, the University of Pune was started. With its traditional
importance as a military center Pune was selected as the home of the National
Defence Academy. Another academic Institution, the National Chemical Laboratory
was set up in 1949. The same year the city got its own All India Radio station. In the
fifties, a number of state and central government offices were also set up in Pune.
4.4 Towards an Industrial city (Growth after 1950 - Post Independence period):
With in a few years after Independence the city also got a Sports stadium
{Nehru Stadium), a large auditorium {Bal Gandharv Rang Mandir). These
improvements were due to the most important civic event that took place in 1950;
the Pune municipality was raised to the status of a Corporation. Another type of
planned development, influenced by the gird pattern of the cantonment was seen in
the areas between Deccan gymkhana and Ganeshkhind road. This attracted the
professional class, bureaucrats and other civil servants working in the government
administrative offices in the civil lines. It attracted middle class residences to the
areas between Deccan gymkhana and Ganeshkhind road. These planned
developments also include Koregoan Park and Bund garden, which later developed
as elite areas. There was also an expansion of the municipal limits from a mere
44km2 to 139 km^ when the Corporation was formed. This brought a large rural
segment into the city limits, giving rise to duality in urban development.
4.4.1 The Industrial City:
The city's traditional academic-cum-administrative character notwithstanding
the fifties and sixties heralded a change in Pune's role to that of an industrial city.
This occurred through the rapid improvement of infrastructure, particularly road
constructions and widening, growth of public transport and improvement in health
care, through the control of epidemics. The decision to restrict further industrial
growth in Bombay, which had reached a saturation point, also pushed
industrialization and the industrial units towards Pune. Its proximity and
communication links with Bombay, its congenial climate, its educated and skilled
workforce and the availability of basic infrastructure made it an obvious choice for
the location of new industries.
92
Pune City with two Cantonments and Suburban Municipality
N
t
Ghorpadi
Scale: 3.5 cm to 8 furlongs
Fig 4.11 Pune in 1937
Canal
Road
Railway \ Cantonments
Sub-urban Municipality ' ! City
Source.D.R. Gadgil, 'Ponna-sncio-Economic Survey',1952, GIPEVol No.25, Pune, Part II As refin Pune, Queen of the Deccan (Jaymala Diddee, 2001)
93
Pune's growth- Post Independence Period
To Ba-ramati
Fig 4.12 Rune about 1950
Source: Town Planning and Valuation Department
Scale; 1.5 cm to 2 Km
94
Slums in Pune with dates of origin
Slums with dates of origin
f< Pre-1940
T 19645-1965
^^M River
#
1966-1980
1981-1996
/ \ / Road
Km
Fig 4.13 Slums in Pune
Note: Absence f Slums near Pune and Khadki cantonment areas
Source: Pune Municipal Corporation as referred in 'Pune, Queen of the Deccan' (Jaymala
Diddee, Samita Gupta, 2001)
95
The establishment of Public Sector Hindustan antibiotics at Pimpri in 1953 and
Messrs Kirloskar oil Engines (1946) at Khadki, already pointed to the future. Other
units began to move in the 1960's Ruston and Hornsby Cooper Engineering works
and other Swedish and German companies like Sandvik, Buckau-wolf, Atlas-
CopCo, Alfa Laval and KSB pumps. But it was the big giants like Telco, Bajaj and
other multinationals like Philips, which put Pune on the Industrial map of the
country. This decade set the stage for Heavy Industries and High Technology, which
have come to dominate the economic character of Pune today. This was the time,
when suburban development started around Pune city (V J Malse, 1990).
There is also a concentration of vehicle manufactures which came about in
the 1970s and 1980s, with the Tatas, Bajaj Auto, Mahindras and Kinetic engineering
together employing over 50,000 workers, making Pune, the Auto Capital of the
country. Besides the engineering sector, basic metals, electronics, chemicals, paper,
plastic, glass and petroleum products employ an impressive number of work force.
Pune's industrial development has some peculiarities. It has a diversified structure
and is not dependent on one manufacturing type alone. Location wise to the
northwest of the city lies the Pimpri-Chinchward-Bhosari-Dehuroad industrial belt
in a linear stretch along the Bombay - Pune highway. To the east, on the road to
Ahmednagar are the engineering industries at Ranjangaon. Towards the south are
industries coming up along the Satara road, while within the city they are
concentrated along the Karve and Shanker Seth roads and in the Parvati and
Gultekdi areas.
4.4.2 The First Urban Sprawl of Pune:
Up to 1960, Pune remained the Second Capital of the State as the monsoon
session of the State Legislature was held here. The face of the city changed suddenly
in the 1960s. By the afternoon of 12" July 1961, due to incessant rain a huge amount
of water unleashed by the collapse of the Panshet dam upstream reached Pune, over
topping the bridges and destroying homes. The old city along of the river Mutha
literally crumbled. Following the floods, the compact form of the city dispersed
and it begun to rapidly sprawl outwards into the countryside. This led to an
overnight mushrooming of new residential colonies on all sides of Pune, especially
96
in Kothrud, Parvati and Bibewadi areas. A number of people could not return to
their ancestral homes now lying in ruins, and colonies, which were flood-affected.
People sprouted almost overnight near Parvathi, on the Satara road (Sahakamagar)
and at Kothrud, which soon become a heaven for many who had found the old city
too restrictive and congested. It is seen that, it is usually the young who wish to
move out of the decaying wadas and the crowded alis or lanes to the fresh air of
Kothrud, leaving behind the older generation. This development marked the first
urban sprawl which took place in the earlier sixties after the city leapt across the
river and extended to Deccan and Erandwana area in the West, Shivajinagar towards
the East, Parvati towards the South and the cantonment areas in the North.
In the next two decades, Kothrud became the fastest growing suburb in Asia,
figuring in the Guinness Book of Records in 1988. As the city suddenly broke its
bounds, it became absolutely essential to control and channalize urban growth. Later
in the seventies, the urban sprawl intensified and spread further along all the major
communication lines. On the western side the sprawl extended up to Kothrud,
towards the east to Yerwada and Lohgaon, towards the south Bibwewadi, Hadapsar,
Wanwori and towards the north Baner and Aundh (V J Malse, 1990). Today the
sprawl has moved still further. For example, along the western side it extended up to
Warje, Uttamnagar and beyond Bavdhan.
As middle class residences move outward, the flow of rural migrants was
moving into the slums. These slums came up on the periphery of the middle class
localities along, railway tracks, along the riverbanks and in the interstices of
developed areas; they continued to grow, creeping up the hill slopes and in any
vacant area that was available. These enclaves became the starting points for further
growth of old low-income localities in the city and in the incorporated villages and
offered shelter for brick-kiln, quarry workers and other labourers. Stand-by
settlements came up at Erandwane, kothrud, where early industries began and at
Hadapsar and Khadki, due to availability of employment opportunities in these
areas. By 1976 the slums housed more than a quarter million. Today 40% Pune's
population lives in the slums.
As industry developed and people were absorbed in the factories the percentage
of people engaged in agriculture in the Pune metropolitan region fell. As Pune
97
expanded and the agricultural land around it became urbanized, farmers either
moved out or became laborers in the new factories. Pune witnessed two types of
immigration; the rural folk who are absorbed in informal labour in service oriented
jobs and the highly qualified professionals from other states. When the process of
sub urbanization spreads to the distant suburbs, with inadequate public transport
Pune soon became the ideal market for the motorized two wheelers of all kinds. The
decision to create a flood- control line, where no buildings were allowed ultimately
led to the city turning its back to the river and the slums soon colonized the lifeline
of the city - the riverfront.
4. 5 Pune- Development Plan:
The old Bombay Town-Planning act (1954) was replaced by, the Maharashtra
Regional Town Planning Act (MRTP) of 1966. This was in response to the
unrestricted industrial growth in the Bombay-Pune region and the felt need to have a
more integrated and coordinated development of the metropolitan region falling
within the influence of Bombay. Under the MRTP act, the state government had
established a special area known as Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR), and set up a
planning authority board for a new development Plan. The Regional Plan for the
Pune Metropolitan Region was sanctioned in 1971. At that time itself, it was
recognized that some city-oriented development spilling over into the fringes
beyond the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits was inevitable. Substantial
housing development proceeded without proper planning and permission in the
fringes of the PMC. This was by and large devoid of or largely lacking in facilities
and amenities necessary for good urban living. It was, therefore, decided that the
fringe villages should be brought into the ambit of the adjacent Municipal
Corporations as these alone will be better able to provide the inputs necessary for
improving the quality of life of existing residents, remove the current shortcomings
of the un regulated development that has emerged, restructure and control future
development on orderly lines. Accordingly, under notification in 1997, 38 fringe
villages contiguous to the PMC limits were merged in the Pune Municipal
Corporation. Meanwhile on 17 November 2001, the State Government revised its
earlier notification and excluded fifteen villages fully and five villages partly from
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the PMC limits. At present only 23 fringe villages have been merged with in the
PMC, in which 18 villages, were fully merged and five villages, were partly
included. Development Plan (DP) for these 23 villages was approved by the City
Improvement Committee (CIC) and General body on December 27 2002.
4.6 Present Scenario:
According to Crane (1955), there are three types of cities namely an
administrative centre, manufacturing centre and a coastal trade emporium produced
by historical urbanism. Of these three types, Crane recognizes, Pune as an
administrative centre, a city largely dependent on the ruler and sensitive to change in
his fortunes. Pune as a typical administrative centre rose to prominence as the
capital of Peshwas. The Prosperity of Pune was totally dependent on its ruler and
this was demonstrated by its decline soon after the Peshwa's fall, and the effect of
New British Urbanism created a new Pune alongside the old city. With respect to the
cultural role of the city (Redfield and Singer, 1954) Pune may be identified as an
indigenous Administrative- Cultural city. But today, it plays altogether a different
role as in some case, it is a prospering city for all IT oriented and service related
activities and in some case as an alternative to saturating Mumbai and in some ways
a better option than Bangalore and Hyderabad.
Pune's industrial growth barely spans three decades. This growth was
accelerated mainly because of its proximity and easy accessibility to Bombay and
owing to the restrictions imposed by the state government on further industrial
expansions in Bombay. Today, several National and Multi Nafional Companies have
chosen Pune to base their operations and have tied up with local companies. The
electronic and software industry has flourished due to the availability of trained and
capable manpower in plenty. The software development park and 100 per cent of
EOU, NIC, and C-DAC have created an excellent infrastructure, which is at the real
core of the software industry. Recently the IT industry has been viewing Pune to be
a better prospect over Bangalore. PMC with the director of industries has announced
special benefits to attract and facilitate the entry of software industry in Pune. A
separate zone has been allotted, speedy clearances and infrastructural facilities are
being offered to woo these projects. Because of that, Pune has attracted around 43
per cent of the industry in this sector. Skilled manpower, good infrastructure, high
99
percentage of talented youth from all over India, is making Pune, obviously a
preferred choice over other cities in the years to come.
The number of companies setting up their branches in the city has registered a
stupendous rise in the couple of years. This is because the government has taken
various steps to promote entrepreneurship and to the development of Pune as an
emerging metro. The development of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) at
Hinjewadi, International Convention Centre (ICC) - country's only composite
business centre, coming up along the Senapati Bapat road and the construction of an
International airport at Chakan, which received a nod from the Ministry of Defence,
are likely to sustain the industrial boom. The number of branded foods and coffee
outlets have mushroomed, the number of multiplexes has gone up to three, BPO
firms are increasing day by day and the city has become a choice destination for job
hunters. ^^'1JD^X&
The Multi National Companies with their base at Pune are bringing along
hordes of young professionals. There is a healthy demand for apartments and as a
result, residential complexes have started coming up on the city's outskirts, where
the land cost is relatively low. Luxuries have been replaced by utility features in
schemes, which targeted at middle and higher-middle income groups and society-
building based on cultural backgrounds of customers has increased. Apart from the
heavy influx of professionals, easy availability of low-interest (7.5 to 8.25%) Home
Loans and the Punekars's gradual shift from the old city areas to the newly
developing ones are factors helping the builders' cause. The Punekar is slowly but
surely moving to areas like Erandwane, Kothrud, Karvenagar, and Malwadi and
along the Paud, Shankarsheth and Solapur roads, where prices of new flats are in the
range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per sq.ft and that of the old ones in the range of Rs
900 to Rs 1,500 per sq.ft. The Price goes down as the distance of a residential
society goes up from down town Deccan and old city areas.
More and more Mumbaikars are buying properties in Aundh, Baner, Pashan
and Pirangut areas, for their proximity to the Pune-Mumbai express way. While
those looking for cosmopolitan neighbourhood are investing in Yerwada,
Vimananagar, Wanowarie, Kondhwa, LuUanagar, Salunkhe Vihar, KalyaniNagar,
Boat club road areas and extensions of Koregaon Park. Those from the higher
100
income group are buying flats in Erandwane, Aundh, KalyaniNagar and Salunkhe
Vihar, wiiere the cost of property is Rs 2,000 per sq.ft and above. With the city
expanding horizontally, row houses and bungalows have become affordable. Areas
like Kondhwa, Undri, Pisoli and Mohammedwadi where residential and commercial
spaces are cheap attract more people from the crowded city.
4.7 A simple Model of Pune's development:
After discussing the growth in detail, Modelling of the milestones in Pune's
spatial growth was given a thought, to give a better insight to comprehend its
development in a lucid way.
In the early period of Pune's growth, was purely controlled by the geographical
factors. As the Kasba developed near the Sangam of Mula and Mutha Rivers, these
rivers formed its north and western boundaries and the town could grow only
towards south. Even though the streams along the eastern side were not the major
impediments for its growth, the city did not spread much towards the east. Since the
city was compact, the transportation was mostly pedestrian and horse drawn
palkhies were used. During Peshwa period, the city was charcterised by Peths and
Wadas of caste based neighborhoods. This Physical and spatial arrangements of the
city were the unique products of particular society, and culture operating within a
given distribution of power.
After the British conquest, and the development of Poona and Khadki
Cantonments, the indigenous city was crammed in between these two cantonments.
After 1920, construction of bridges across the rivers, construction of new roads in
the east-west direction, reinforced the growth along western side. Development of
Deccan Gymkhana took place and bicycles, tongas, and automobiles, buses were the
means of transport. Development of Town planning schemes and suburban
Municipality led the middle class developments across the river in the western side
of the city.
After Independence, establishment of Public sector industries and many
Central Government organizations transformed the city into an Industrial city. After
the flood in 1961, the compact nature of the city was dispersed. People started
moving away from the core, because of the loss of their property as well as for
101
safety. With advent of automobiles in a larger scale and their affordability by the
middle-income class, the city started spreading rapidly. This rapid development
went beyond the urban limit and the need was felt for channelising its growth.
Nearby fringe villages were brought into city limit and development plans were
prepared for an organized development. The city skyline was changed with high-rise
buildings and ornamental style was reintroduced. Because of poor Public transport,
the city is now crowded with two wheelers, cars, six seaters, and taxies and getting
more polluted. The recent report submitted in the parliament positioned Pune as 13"
most polluted city (T'in Metros) in India (Times of India dated 23Aug 2005).
In addition to natural growth, migration also contributes to major share for
city's high population growth and its sprawling. Not only the youth of Maharashtra
but also those from other parts of the country look up to Pune for employment
opportunities. The faith in the city's potential to provide jobs is so deep rooted, that
parents from all over India are sending their wards to Pune, not for education alone,
as was the trend earlier, but for a better life. For example, Pune is heading towards
becoming the first Wi-Fi (Wireless connectivity that allows internet access within
the area) city in the World. Pune has been selected because it is smaller compared to
Hyderabad and Bangalore. Another added advantage is that it has been selected to
develop one of the "Economic growth clusters" out of five cities at the national
level. At the same time, over the last two years Pune has established itself as a
world-class centre for IT. The City has no more remained a pensioner's paradise, in
its new avatar, it has metamorphosed into one for a prosperous life.
102
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Growth of Pune
Fig 4.13 Growth of Pune (1820-2001)
1820
1820-1890 •
1890-1950 1
1950 - 1970
• 1970-2001
1 After 2001
Source: www.punemahanagarpalika (website of Pune Municipal Corporation)
104
In short, Pune started its career as a small garrison town like thousands of
others and grew to prominence under the Marathas and the Peshwas until the 18'
century. After British conquest and occupation Pune lost its earlier Capital city
functions and became the new administrative and military centre in the IQ'*" century.
Because of its tradition of learning it emerged as the largest educational centre in
Western India. It was only during the post independence era that the establishment
and rapid growth of Industry took place at Pune, which initiated the Industrial
development of the 20th century. In the 21^' century, Pune is poised to become the
IT hub of the future. Thus Pune had undergone a complete makeover during
different periods of its urban revolution, spreading its tentacles far and wide. This
brief profile of major phases in Pune's growth will help to understand the causes for
the rapid growth of Pune during past decade and its chances of further growth in
near future. This rapid growth had altered most of the rural land in the rural fringe.
A detailed study of land use and land cover of Pune city had been attempted in the
next chapter.
105