Nigdi Pioneers India's First 15-Minute City with Green Corridor Transformation
Pune residents are overwhelmed by relentless noise from traffic, construction, and festivals, while PMC and MPCB dodge accountability. Despite legal noise limits, silence zones are routinely violated. Citizens, desperate for relief, demand a unified complaint system and real enforcement to reclaim peace in their neighborhoods.
Mrudula Narale
Pune: Taking a bold step towards eco-friendly urban lifestyles, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has unveiled India’s first pilot for the 15-Minute City model in Nigdi Pradhikaran, rethinking how inhabitants reach everyday needs. This forward-looking project, led by the recently established Urban Mobility Department, places vital services—schools, markets, parks, clinics, and transit stops—at a 15-minute walk or bike ride away, creating a healthier, more integrated community. The project, under the Green Corridor innovation initiative, redefines walkability, sustainability, and inclusive urban planning in India.
The pilot project has converted a 100-metre road stretch in Nigdi into a model of contemporary urban planning. Pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes promote active mobility, while rainwater harvesting systems and green spaces boost environmental resilience. The design has taken into account the needs and suggestions of the local residents to make the space functional and inclusive. Vibrant murals, street furniture, and public spaces bring color and life, making the corridor a space where people of all ages and abilities can flourish. This section is just the start, with an expansion planned to reach 9 kilometers of safe, accessible corridors by the end of 2026.
The Green Corridor project also focuses on last-mile connectivity with future expansions to connect important transit hubs such as Bhakti Shakti Metro Station and Akurdi Railway Station. By combining walking, cycling, and public transport, the project streamlines the daily commute and minimizes dependence on private cars, alleviating traffic jams and lowering carbon footprints. The project is in sync with international best practices in urban mobility, making Pimpri-Chinchwad a front-runner in developing people-friendly cities with an emphasis on health, accessibility, and sustainability.
The implementation of the project reflects robust local coordination. Pune-based Prasanna Desai Architects, assisted by architect Ashik Jain, designed the innovative concept, while Pavetech Design Consultants coordinated the project and BG Shirke Construction Company executed on-ground work. ITDP India provided technical know-how and Centre for Environment Education (CEE) provided community engagement support to make the initiative sustainable and inclusive. This model of partnership has produced a template that PCMC is going to replicate in other neighborhoods, where areas are earmarked with necessary facilities being within walking distance to implement the 15-Minute City idea at a more metropolitan scale.
The Nigdi pilot is more than a neighborhood improvement—it’s a visionary move toward redesigning urban living in India. . It also encourages equity by making it possible for children, elderly, and the disabled to move around the city comfortably. As PCMC continues to scale up this model, other locations have been identified to build a full-fledged network of active mobility corridors, integrating residents with schools, hospitals, markets, and transport hubs smoothly.
This project is a watershed moment for Pimpri-Chinchwad, marrying innovation with community needs to produce safe, green, and inclusive streets. As the Green Corridor expands, it has the potential to change the city into one where everyday life is easier, sustainable, and more vibrant, setting an example for other Indian cities to do the same. For the people of Nigdi, the future is already being shaped—one step, one pedal, and one green corridor at a time.
