Baner, Pune

Baner is in north-west Pune, with Pashan to the south, Balewadi to the west, Aundh to the north and Savitribai Phule Pune University to the east. Baner Road is its spine, and the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway runs along the western edge. Baner Hill, at 678 m the third-highest point within city limits, and the Ramnadi stream give it more green cover than most of the west Pune suburbs. The Kalamkar family held the village from the 17th century, and it was farmland known for mangoes, guavas and tamarind until the mid-2000s.

After 2005, offices and housing replaced the orchards. Baner is now one of the main addresses for people working in Hinjewadi, Aundh, the university area and Balewadi, and it has a dense spread of restaurants and cafés along Baner Road and near Balewadi High Street. Housing leans towards larger flats in mid-rise and high-rise towers. IndiProp lists two projects in Baner: Pride Purple Park Grandeur and Kalpataru Jade Residences, both offering 3 and 4 BHK homes.

Metro Line 3 from Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar runs through Baner, with stations at Balewadi Phata, Baner Gaon and Baner. These were among six stations PMRDA left out of the line's first opening phase because work and safety clearances were pending. Water supply is the other issue to know about. Baner and Balewadi residents have relied on tankers during shortages, and PMC is laying a separate pipeline from the Warje pumping station to a tank in Pashan to serve them. Baner suits professionals and families who want west Pune's jobs within reach and a well-served neighbourhood.