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Authorities in Pune have started relocating 34 tribal families from Pasarwadi, a landslide-prone village near Malin, after soil cracks and a recent rockfall blocked their only road. The tehsil office has secured two acres of safer land, guided by Geological Survey recommendations. Financial aid for new homes is being arranged through state and central housing schemes, with additional CSR support. So far, 18 families have homes under the Gharkul scheme; remaining construction will start post-monsoon. Residents welcomed the move but raised concerns about water shortages and lack of basic facilities. The relocation echoes past efforts after Malin's deadly 2014 landslide.
Authorities in Pune district have begun relocating 34 tribal families from Pasarwadi, a landslide-prone village near Malin, to a safer location. This follows repeated reports of soil cracks in the village, worsened by a recent incident where a large boulder rolled down and blocked the only road connecting the hamlet. Although villagers had been demanding relocation for several months, this event accelerated the administration's response. Advertisement
The tehsil office at Ambegaon acquired two acres of land approximately 2-km away from the original site. Tehsildar Sanjay Nagtilak confirmed that the land transfer has been completed and that individual plots will be officially handed over to the affected families shortly. The land was selected based on recommendations from the Geological Survey of India, which had declared the current location unsafe due to landslide risks.
Financial assistance for constructing new homes is being arranged through the state-run Gharkul Yojana and the central housing scheme, PM Awas Yojana. Additional support is expected through corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. Officials assured that the new settlement will be equipped with essential utilities such as electricity and water connections.
So far, 18 families from the hamlet have already received homes under the Gharkul scheme. Construction of the remaining houses is scheduled to begin once the monsoon season ends. Local representatives welcomed the move. Former sarpanch Digambar Bhalchim said the recent rockfall had heightened anxiety among villagers, and the allocation of land brought much-needed relief.
However, residents and activists have raised concerns about basic facilities at the relocation site. Malin activist Vijay Lembhe pointed out that Pasarwadi faces severe water shortages during summer and urged the authorities to install overhead water tanks. NGOs involved in the rehabilitation process have also requested amenities such as a community hall and a school to support long-term resettlement.
The relocation carries deep historical relevance. Nearly ten years ago, Malin village experienced a catastrophic landslide that killed 151 people. Following that disaster, the government built a new settlement with reinforced homes, a school, medical centre, and a community hall. This model of disaster-resilient rehabilitation is now being extended to the Pasarwadi families.
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