50 crore in its Rs 4,628-crore budget for 2026-27 to develop a world-class glass skywalk in Lonavala as a tourist destination and road infrastructure project, including twin tunnels in Pune city.
Ajit Pawar had taken up the onus to develop a 125-metre long glass skywalk at a cost of Rs 333 crore to connect the hill station with two popular tourist spots — Lions Point and Tiger Point.The dream project of late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar is all set to become a reality soon as the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) on Monday made provision of Rs 200.50 crore in its Rs 4,628-crore budget for 2026-27 to develop a world-class glass skywalk in Lonavala as a tourist destination and road infrastructure project, including twin tunnels in Pune city. The PMRDA general body meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadanavis in Mumbai and attended by both deputy chief ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar.The authority made provision of Rs 200.50 crore in the PMRDA annual budget hoping to get Rs 100 crore funding each from the Union government and District Planning Committee. “The maximum provision of Rs 3,895 crore is for capital expenditure which includes Rs 2,919 crore for projects and Rs 971 crore for land acquisition for projects mainly the inner ring road,” a PMRDA official said. Fadnavis directed the formation of special purpose vehicle of PMRDA and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for development of proposed twin tunnel from Katraj to Yerawada to decongest city roads by enabling direct seamless movement of vehicles from Alandi road, Mumbai-Pune road, Ahmednagar road through the tunnel. Meanwhile, the PMRDA has done all neccessary administrative work to acquire land for inner ring road to decongest city roads. “The allocated funds will be used to acquire land for ring road,” the officer said. He also directed for preparing development plan for 23 newly merged villages in PMC. Ajit Pawar had taken up the onus to develop a 125-metre long glass skywalk at a cost of Rs 333 crore to connect the hill station with two popular tourist spots — Lions Point and Tiger Point. NCP MLA Sunil Shelke had insisted for the skywalk project at a location 15 km away from Lonavala and on 15 acres of land. The project includes the construction of a 6-metre-wide and 90-metre-long bridge but the main attraction would be the 125-metre-long and 6-metre wide skywalk.Story continues below this ad Facilities for adventure sports such as zip lining and bungee jumping, an amphitheatre for 1,000 people, 24 gazebos, and a parking space for 1,500 cars and 2,000 two-wheelers will also be constructed as part of project. The PMRDA will also widen the roads towards both tourist points. The Lions Point and Tiger Point are popular tourist destinations, which attract around 10,000 visitors on weekends and at least 2,000 on weekdays. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, Pune. With over 22 years of experience in the industry, he is a highly specialized journalist whose work focuses on the intersection of urban infrastructure, governance, and sustainability. Professional Background Role: As Assistant Editor, he plays a key role in the editorial direction of the Pune bureau, specializing in urban policy and its direct impact on citizens. Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a PG Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He also studied at the prestigious Fergusson College. Impactful Reporting: He is credited with research-based articles on conservancy staff (waste workers) that influenced national policy for better working conditions. He is also known for exposing the contrast between high-end infrastructure (like helipads for leaders) and the lack of basic amenities like schools in their home districts. Personal Interests: An avid trekker and sports enthusiast, his personal interest in the outdoors often informs his reporting on environmental protection and sustainable development. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) His reporting in late 2025 has been dominated by the upcoming Janua
Most of the other homebuyers paid between Rs 1 crore to 3 crore for their flats, paying their purchase amount over varying time periods. Possibly setting a precedent for hundreds of construction projects delayed much beyond their promised possession date, the MahaRERA on Monday ordered a builder to pay crores in interest to homebuyers of a project delayed by five years. One homebuyer, who had purchased multiple flats worth Rs 8 crore, has been ordered to be paid over Rs 3 crore in collected interest. The project in question is the Wintergreen building, part of the Rivali Park project of the promoter CCI Projects Private Limited on the Western Express Highway, Borivali.Initially promised their homes in 2016, the possession date was delayed multiple times till 2021. 40 homebuyers in the building had complained to the MahaRERA throughout the years, as the promoter extended the possession date multiple times till 2021. “In 2012, my client Rajesh, 65, and Surali Joshi, 64, paid around Rs 8.4 crore for 6 flats in the Wintergreen building, on a promised possession date of 2016,” said their lawyer, Aditya Pratap. “But as the possession date passed without any sign of the homes, the Joshi’s complained to MahaRERA, first in 2018 and next in 2019.” Most of the other homebuyers paid between Rs 1 crore to 3 crore for their flats, paying their purchase amount over varying time periods. As per Section 18 of RERA Act, 2016, homebuyers are entitled to demand compensation if a promoter fails to deliver a project on the specified possession date, either in the form of interest on the amount or refund. In this case, the homebuyers demanded interest. An order by the MahaRERA in 2020 ruled on the side of the allottees, directing the promoter to pay the 40 homebuyers interest at 9% per annum from 1st September 2016 (six months after the contractual possession date of February 2016) until the actual date of possession, along with costs and penalty.Story continues below this ad On getting possession of the flats in 2021, the promoter appealed against the MahaRERA’s order. A final judgement, after 8 long years of the case, was delivered on Monday. “What sets this order apart is that the MahaRERA decided on several claims brought up by the promoter, strengthening homebuyers rights in similar cases in the future,” said Pratap. “For one, the promoter claimed that as homebuyers continued their payments towards their homes even when informed by letters about the delayed possession date, without any objections, they forged the right to interest. The MahaRERA did not accept this. The promoter tried to invoke Section 55 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, which deals with timeline of contracts, but the MahaRERA ruled that the RERA Act prevails over it. Once the homebuyers received possession, that they accepted the homes also does not bind the allottees from claiming their rights. The promoter also blamed the delays on unforeseeable circumstances, like sand scarcity, the covid pandemic, and defaulting by their lender Indiabulls’, all of which the MahaRERA court did not accept.” Sabah Virani is a journalist with The Indian Express’ Mumbai bureau, covering infrastructure, housing and urban issues. In the realms of technical fields, she brings out human stories and the pace of change ongoing in the city. Expertise Specialised Role: Tracking infrastructure in Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Sabah’s reporting tracks progress on various projects. From bridges to metros, she mixes technical details with resourceful information. Core coverage areas: Sabah keeps a close eye on the activities of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and its projects across the MMR, including the metros, road projects, bridges, the bullet train, pod taxi, its role as a planning authority, and more. She also watches for developments from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), City and
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