Ektanagari relocation to cost ₹1,500 crore, buildings within floodline will be razed: MoS
: The
Pune Municipal Corporation
(PMC) had planned a 'cluster development' project to rehabilitate people from Ektanagari and nearby areas. This cluster will be developed under the Urban Redevelopment Scheme, according to UDCPR section 14.8.
The proposal involves relocation of as many as 1,383 homes and at least 67 shops from the flood-prone 'blue zones' of Ektanagari,
Vitthalnagar
and
Nimbajnagar
to municipal land in Hingne Khurd survey no. 19. TOI speaks to MoS
Madhuri Misal
about solutions to this long-standing issue.
Q: What are the short-term solutions proposed to avert flooding in the Ektanagari area?
A: In the short term, focus is on preventing water from entering homes and shops. This plan includes the removal of debris and trash as well as prevention of any future dumping.
Q: How are authorities going to stop debris dumping?
A: The administration is going to install CCTV cameras to monitor debris dumping here. The cameras will be used to catch the offenders, who will face criminal cases.
Q: What are the long-term plans, for a more permanent solution?
A: That's where the cluster development proposal comes in. The permanent solution involves total relocation of affected citizens. Properties that fall within floodlines will be razed and residents will be moved to other plots. Two plots are available in the vicinity of the affected areas.
Q: Why has the planned cluster development project progressed at such a slow pace?
A: The financial requirement of the project has been a major concern. We need Rs1,500 crore to complete it and these funds are not available as of today. State govt has received the proposal from PMC, which is being discussed at the UD level.
Q: In Ektanagari, there have been issues linked to flood compensation. Could you clarify?
A: Yes, that is correct. The flood-affected people living in residential flats received compensation. But those with commercial properties or shops are yet to receive it. The lack of provisions in law for this type of compensation has delayed compensation to shop owners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
In redevelopment deals, Mumbai residents sweat over fears of managing committee-builder nexus
1 2 In a housing society in Khar, residents were shocked when they learnt managing committee members enjoyed an all-expense paid holiday in Bangkok, courtesy a builder. The son of a society chairman in the eastern suburbs, who owned a small software firm, got projects worth Rs 6.5 crore, while the daughter, a doctor, managed to get a top post in a hospital. The secretary of another society, who owned a small printing press, got a huge contract to print the annual reports of a construction firm. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai In a Vile Parle society, a woman member has filed a case in the consumer court against the managing committee for allotting her a flat on a lower floor instead of a higher floor, which she claimed she was to get. In Mumbai's real estate industry, redevelopment has become the most lucrative market not just for developers hunting for prime properties. A lesser-known secret is the role of the all-powerful managing committees (MCs) of housing societies; these are a small group of people who initiate redevelopment, meet developers and finally convince society members to select the best. TOI spoke to a cross-section of people in the redevelopment market, including builders, advocates, housing society members, architects, and activists, about the crucial role played by MCs and the influence they wield among competitive developers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This new air conditioner cools down a room in just seconds News of the Discovery Undo Advocate K K Ramani, who has many housing societies as his clients during redevelopment, said the MC has a lot to contribute and its members devote their time and effort. "Someone has to make a decision, good or bad. It is a thankless job. They cannot satisfy everyone,'' he said. Ramani believes residents are more aware of their rights and keep MCs on their toes, but people in the know told TOI underhand benefits for MC members continue from builders and are of varied nature. Ramani said the MCs he deals with are dedicated people and do not short-change other members. "It used to happen two decades ago when society members left everything to the MC to decide during redevelopment. Now, members are more aware of their rights,'' he added. However, people in the know told TOI underhand benefits for MC members continue. "Their chosen builder will give them preferential treatment like better amenities, more area than they are entitled to at a discounted price, or free interiors of the new flat. Or it could be giving a MC member his redeveloped flat on a higher, sea-facing side,'' they said. A developer, who spoke to TOI on the condition that his identity not be revealed, said his experience with MCs was that "25% are genuine while 75% have vested interests''. "Someone from the MC wants more area, others may demand money on the side,'' he said. This developer also claimed several "project management consultants" (PMCs) appointed by MCs to help societies in the redevelopment process, have become "glorified brokers" and are "super corrupt". "They knock out money from developers for selecting them for redevelopment,'' he said. Another developer with a slew of redevelopment projects in the prime Bandra-Khar belt, said some PMCs and MCs "rig tenders" so that the project goes to a selected builder. "These syndicates (nexus of PMC and MC) are known to get kickbacks ranging from Rs 5 crore to Rs 10 crore in prime localities. Redevelopment is their payday," he said. This developer further said what surprises him is that most of these shady MC members come from a wealthy background. Housing activist Chandrashekar Prabhu, who has been pushing for self-redevelopment, said some builders inflate numbers in feasibility reports for redevelopment. "These builders spent huge sums to pay office bearers to select PMCs on their payrolls so that they can manipulate the feasibility reports to make it appear that the builders would hardly earn any profits in the redevelopment schemes. In return for convincing members to agree to a PMC, the architect, structural engineer, liaison consultant, other consultants, select managing committee members and office bearers are paid off. Some builders offer upfront payment to office bearers to identify vulnerable families willing to sell their flats. Moreover, if all members can be convinced the deal offered is the best, proactive office bearers will be given free flats in another project. For every decision that results in an increase of profits for the builder, there is a good share of the spoils for office bearers,'' he said. Advocate Vinod Sampat said the positive aspect of MCs is they protect the interests of society members. ``Many of these committees are experts in various fields and are knowledgeable. Most decisions are taken transparently,'' he said. But Sampat said he has seen the dark side too, where an MC is hand-in-glove with the developer. "The rotten ones will deliberately leave loopholes in development agreements so that income tax and GST liability falls on the members instead of the developer,'' he said, adding arbitration with the builder in case of a dispute will financially ruin the society. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Coimbatore corporation to reintroduce resoultion to hike water, UGD charges
Coimbatore: Days after the city corporation withdrew its resolution to increase water and underground drainage (UGD) charges that was tabled and passed at the council meeting on May 19, corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabakaran on Saturday told TOI that they were planning to reintroduce the resolution at the next council meeting. "It is crucial that we pass this resolution to secure funds from various sources for upcoming projects and the maintenance of the UGD system. The (price hike) withdrawal is likely to affect future fund sanctions from major banks. The tariff is fixed by the state govt. Our role is just to pass the resolution. The implementation of the tariff hike is optional and depends solely on the state govt's discretion. Other corporations have passed similar resolutions. Coimbatore should also do so. Therefore, the resolution will be tabled at the next meeting. If the state demands it on an emergency basis, I will be compelled to pass it," the corporation commissioner said. K Kathirmathiyon, secretary, Coimbatore Consumer Cause, agreed that it was important to pass the resolution to increase the water and UGD charges for securing funds. "Previously, we have seen scenarios where things existed theoretically but were not implemented, including the UGD system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The public needs to be convinced about this. The corporation should not have withdrawn the resolution. Reintroducing it will create more agitation among the councillors and the public. Additionally, the corporation should reconsider the monthly slabs based on property tax. There must be an option to choose whichever amount is lower, so that those with properties below 600sqft will not have to pay more water and UGD charges than the property tax." While several DMK councillors and zonal chairpersons noted that the monthly charges should be collected, they said the same should be nominal. "The resolution is necessary and it should be reconsidered. If it is cancelled, the entire project will fail, and its quality will be compromised," they said. It was at the council meeting held on May 14 that the city corporation introduced and passed the resolution to revise the UGD and water charges based on the built-up area of residential and commercial properties, with a provision for an increase of 3% every year. This resolution faced continuous backlash from both the opposition, DMK and their alliance parties. Series of protests were also carried out by the CPI councillors and cadres in the days following the resolution's passage. The resolution was withdrawn at the council meeting held on Thursday. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Mutton back on J&K tables after traders call off strike over Punjab ‘extortion'
SRINAGAR: A week-old mutton crisis in J&K ended Saturday after dealers called off a strike against alleged harassment and 'extortion' at checkpoints in neighbouring Punjab for carrying livestock from other states. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision came after talks between officials of J&K's food and supplies department and their counterparts in Punjab, who had denied any extortion but insisted on valid papers for transporting cattle. 'Punjab govt agreed to appoint nodal officers to ensure vehicles transporting livestock from other states do not face problems. These officers will remain in constant coordination with J&K authorities,' Nasir Aslam Wani, political adviser to CM Omar Abdullah, told TOI. J&K authorities pointed out that the mutton dealers were accused of violating Punjab Cattle Fairs (Regulation) Act for livestock they were importing from Rajasthan and Delhi. But Wani contended that the law did not apply to J&K traders since they were not procuring livestock from Punjab. 'They cannot charge us for livestock in transit,' Wani said. Mehrajuddin Ganai, general secretary of Kashmir Mutton Dealers Association, said 'our vehicles carrying sheep from Rajasthan, Delhi and other regions were routinely stopped at Shambu and Madhopur checkpoints in Punjab'. 'Truckers were forced to pay bribes and halt. Long delays caused many animals to die due to heat and stress.' According to Mehrajuddin, the association had met CM Omar and food minister Satish Sharma several times in the past few days, following which J&K's team went to Punjab for talks. On Friday, Punjab's rural development and panchayats department issued an order appointing nodal officers to verify documents related to purchase and transport of animals from other states. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The order directs 'installation of boards at each checkpoint displaying the names and contact numbers of the nodal officers'. Amardeep Singh Gujral, joint director in Punjab's rural development department, asserted that 'there was no extortion taking place'. 'Vehicles carrying livestock with valid govt slips will not be charged. The issue has been sorted out,' Gujral said. J&K's mutton dealers expressed cautious optimism. 'Now that Punjab govt has issued an order, we have decided to resume supplies. But we will review the situation after a week. If we face the same problems again, we will reconsider our decision,' Mehrajuddin said. The strike had disrupted Kashmir's multi-crore mutton trade. According to official data, J&K consumes 60,000 tonnes of mutton annually, with residents spending an estimated Rs 3,900 crore each year. More than half of the supplies -- around 35,000 tonnes -- is sourced from outside J&K, mostly from Rajasthan and Delhi. Mutton consumption is the highest in the Valley, where demand peaks during marriage and festival seasons and it makes uninterrupted supply critical.
