1 day Ago By Nisha Nambiar
Pune: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) said progress of six proposed town planning (TP) schemes across the region would not be hindered by cancellation of the draft development plan (DP). "State urban development department told us the schemes would proceed as scheduled. We will move forward.
..once govt extends its approval," said a senior PMRDA official.
Officials said the state is expected to sanction all six TP schemes soon. "Landowners who have agreed to give their land for the projects need not worry," the official said. The Maan-Mhalunge scheme was initially presented as a model TP project.
However, landowners raised concerns after cancellation of the DP. Nilesh Padale, a landowner, said he agreed to give 4 acres for the scheme in 2018, but there was no outcome even after seven years. "State govt cleared the scheme, but it was resubmitted due to floodline issues and awaits clearance," he said.
Of the 700 acres, 600 acres are in Mhalunge and the remaining 100 acres in Maan. Around 40% of landowners expressed dissatisfaction with the delays since they were unable to sell or develop their land due to the uncertainty around the project. Urban and regional planning expert professor Ramchandra Gohad said there should be no delay in implementation of TP schemes after approval.
He said there are no legal or procedural barriers hindering the schemes. He said PMRDA can execute the project while drafting a new DP, as the 1997 Pune District Regional Plan is still in effect. "PMRDA should base new TP schemes on existing road networks, focusing on areas with development trends along highways or with existing infrastructure.
Public participation through feedback should also be prioritised," Gohad said. He also suggested involving architecture colleges, whose students could collect ground data for planning purposes. The six proposed TP schemes span over 1,000 hectares in the Pune Metropolitan Region.
Five of these are located along the proposed ring road and the sixth, the Maan-Mhalunge scheme, has been revised and resubmitted. The schemes were first proposed over a year ago, with the Maan-Mhalunge being a significant part of the state's vision for urban development. Other planned schemes include Vadachiwadi, Autunde Handewadi, Manjari Kolwadi and two in Holkarwadi.
These schemes are designed on the Gujarat model, where landowners receive 50% of the developed land. Centre has announced infrastructure funding for these projects..
