Mixed Reactions in Pune to Union Budget 2025-26 Allocations

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget for FY 2025-26 on Saturday, allocating ₹699.13 crore for the Pune Metro and ₹229.94 crore for the Mula Mutha River Rejuvenation Project. Following the announcement, The Free Press Journal sought reactions from Punekars, sparking a mix of praise and criticism over the provisions for the city.
BJP Welcomes Metro Funding
Kunal Tilak, BJP spokesperson and BJYM Maharashtra vice-president, expressed optimism about the budget. “It’s great news for Punekars that a substantial budget has been sanctioned for Pune Metro. This demonstrates the political will to transform the city in the next 5-7 years,” he said. Tilak also welcomed the allocation for the Mula Mutha River Rejuvenation Project but emphasized the need to integrate it with the Riverfront Development Project while addressing environmental concerns.
Congress Criticizes Budget for Neglecting Public Transport
Congress leader Mohan Joshi criticized the budget, calling it insufficient for Pune’s needs. “The city desperately requires at least 1,000 more PMPML buses to improve public transport and reduce reliance on private vehicles. Additionally, there was no mention of the Pune-Lonavala railway line expansion or the Pune-Nashik semi-high-speed rail project. Overall, the budget is disappointing,” he remarked.
AAP Highlights Unfulfilled Expectations
Mukund Kirdat, AAP spokesperson, pointed out gaps in the budget, stating, “The government should focus on providing end-to-end connectivity for metro routes with feeder buses. Several Smart City projects remain incomplete, and Pune still lacks an AIIMS-like government hospital. Furthermore, there has been no progress on the Purandar Airport project, which is disheartening, especially after Pune MP Murlidhar Mohol became Minister of State for Civil Aviation.”
Mixed Views from Policy Experts
Public policy professional Ranjeet Rane described the provisions as a mixed bag. While appreciating the metro funding, he criticized the lack of long-term planning for a defence manufacturing hub under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Mission, which could have boosted employment opportunities in Pune.
Satisfaction from Cybersecurity Expert
Cybersecurity expert Sandeep Godbole expressed satisfaction, saying, “Both the Pune Metro and Mula Mutha River Rejuvenation Project are priorities for us. While we could always ask for more, I’m happy these projects have been considered.”