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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Residents urge CM to halt PMRDA's auction of amenity plots, demand land be used for civic purposes
1 2 Pune: Citizen groups from Hinjewadi–Maan–Marunji region have urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to stop auctioning of 35 public amenity plots in their area by PMRDA. They said if these plots are auctioned it would deprive over 1.5 lakh residents of essential infrastructure. In their representation to Fadnavis, who also chairs Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the Hinjewadi Residents Welfare Association (HRWA) and Hinjewadi Employees and Residents Trust (HERT) have demanded a complete halt to the auction. They have called for an investigation into past allotments, citing possible violation of planning laws. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "These are not surplus plots — they are needed for setting up water supply system, substations, public gardens, parking, health centres, schools, ITIs, police chowkis etc," said Ravindra Sinha from HRWA. "If these lands go to private developers, where will such facilities come up?" Dnyanendra Hulsure from HERT said they are hoping that the CM would intervene as chairman of PMRDA and issue necessary orders staying the auction process for these crucial public lands. "The decision to hand over prime public lands is deeply concerning and detrimental to the welfare of the community,'' said Hulsure. The groups alleged that PMRDA's auction process has bypassed the participatory planning mandated by Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act and Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines. These guidelines designate amenity plots as "deemed reservations" meant to serve the public and decided through community consultation. PMRDA has announced e-auction of 35 plots across Mulshi, Maval, Haveli, and Khed, with a total base value of ₹91 crore. Earnest money deposits for the plots range from ₹84,000 to ₹25 lakh. PMRDA officials said the process is in line with the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), and some plots are reserved for public libraries and music schools. "All planning authorities auction amenity spaces to generate revenue, often at rates below the market value. Reservations are marked and the space will be auctioned as per the reservation," a senior PMRDA official said, adding that 32 such plots were auctioned earlier as well. "This is not just about compliance — it's about priorities. Should essential public land be sold off for commercial use?" said one of the residents. The groups have been writing to various authorities since 2021 to stop auctioning of amenity plots.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State Assembly passes bill to amend MRTP Act
Mumbai: The Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a bill to amend the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act to empower planning authorities for micro-planning while drafting Development or Regional Plans. Planning of public amenities, such as railways, waterways, canals and airports is expected to be simplified because of the amendments. The bill has introduced a new chapter called Structure Plan, which will indicate the manner in which development of any land should be done, officials said. tnn
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Illegal constructions will not be spared, strict action against erring officials: Maharashtra deputy CM
MUMBAI : The Maharashtra government will not support any illegal constructions and take strict action against officials found complicit in allowing such structures to come up, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said in the legislative assembly on Monday. Replying to a query raised by Parag Alavani (BJP) during the Question Hour, he said instructions will be issued to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner to prepare a detailed list and classification of illegal constructions in the metropolis. "If any officer is found protecting illegal structures, stringent action will be initiated against him," warned Shinde, who holds urban development and housing portfolios. Members Yogesh Sagar, Jitendra Awhad, Dilip Walse Patil, Varun Sardesai, Murji Patel and Ajay Choudhary were among those who raised supplementary questions related to the issue. Referring to actions already taken, Shinde stated that many unauthorized constructions in the adjoining Vasai-Virar region have been demolished by the local municipal corporation, while some have been spared for the time being as their owners have obtained temporary court stays. "Once the legal stays are lifted, those structures, too, will be removed," he said. The deputy CM noted that due to the ongoing monsoon and habitation by people, immediate action on some unauthorized constructions has been delayed, but assured demolition drives would resume post-rainy season. Citing a specific instance, Shinde said an unauthorized shed was found built on a BMC-owned plot in Vile Parle (East), which was demolished by the civic body on March 24, 2025. Later, a complaint was received regarding an illegal parking facility operating on the same plot. The BMC took action and cleared the encroachment on June 3, he informed the house. Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal said action against illegal constructions is being taken under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. She urged members to share specific complaints from their constituencies so that authorities concerned can take appropriate action against unauthorised structures. "Officials responsible for failing to act will be held accountable," Misal asserted.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Maharashtra To Relax Fragmentation Law, SOP soon: Bawankule
Nagpur: In a major relief to lakhs of urban and semi-urban residents, Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced that the state government has decided to ease provisions under the Tukdebandi (fragmentation) Act. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "All land plots—up to one guntha in size—created in urban zones before January 1, 2025, will be granted legal status. A transparent standard operating procedure (SOP) for their regularisation will be defined within 15 days," Bawankule said in the legislative assembly on Wednesday. Over 50 lakh households are currently grappling with legal uncertainty due to fragmentation norms. Once regularised, affected families will be able to obtain legal documentation and proceed with construction. The announcement drew bipartisan praise from Jayant Patil (NCP-SP), Vijay Wadettiwar (Congress), Vikram Pachpute (BJP), and several others. Bawankule said the move will resolve long-standing issues arising from violations of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act and the fragmentation law. "Clearing these anomalies will facilitate timely registration, building permissions, and official ownership," he stated, while responding to a "calling attention" motion by MLA Amol Khatal. The guardian minister for Nagpur and Amravati also outlined the formation of a four-member committee comprising the additional chief secretaries (revenue and urban development), the Jamabandi Commissioner, and the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) to prepare the SOP. This guideline will clarify procedures for plotting, layout approvals, road infrastructure, registration applications, and construction permissions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Significantly, it also aims to eliminate middleman interference through a digitally transparent process. The reform will apply to areas under municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats, urban development authority zones, and gaothan areas within a 500-meter radius. Additional consideration will be given to buffer zones within 2 km of municipal boundaries, national and state highways, and council-adjacent villages, based on suggestions from MLAs. Bawankule urged legislators to submit suggestions to the revenue additional chief secretary within seven days, so they can be incorporated into the SOP. "This is a one-time regularisation drive. From January 1, 2025, onward, all constructions must comply with planning authority rules. Our aim is justice through clarity, not chaos," he added.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Illegal constructions in Mumbai: Maharashtra Speaker Rahul Narwekar asks govt to submit report
Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar Monday directed the state government to submit an action-taken report (ATR) on illegal constructions across various wards of Mumbai before the conclusion of the ongoing Monsoon Session Friday. The directive came in response to a question raised by BJP MLA Parag Alvani, who sought accountability regarding unauthorised construction on a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plot in Vile Parle (East). Responding during the Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured the House that stern action would be initiated against erring officials, including assistant municipal commissioners, if found shielding illegal constructions. He said instructions would be issued to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani to prepare a category-wise list of unauthorised structures in the city and take necessary action. 'The government will not support any illegal construction. If officials are found protecting such structures, strict action will be taken against them,' Shinde said. The Deputy CM further clarified that while several illegal structures in the Vasai-Virar region have already been demolished, some remain due to stay orders from the courts. 'Those too will be removed as soon as the legal restrictions are lifted,' he said. Shinde, however, noted that immediate action at some locations during the monsoon may not be feasible, as residents are currently occupying these structures. 'After monsoon, we will take steps to remove even those constructions,' he added. Referring to the case flagged by Alvani, Shinde informed the House that unauthorised sheds had been erected on BMC-owned plot number 256 in Vile Parle East. The civic body demolished the sheds on March 24, 2025. A subsequent complaint regarding illegal parking on the same plot led to further action, and the encroachments were cleared on June 3, 2025. Several legislators, including Yogesh Sagar, Jitendra Awhad, Dilip Walse Patil, Varun Sardesai, Murji Patel, Ajay Choudhari, and Bala Nandgaonkar, raised supplementary questions over the issue. Minister of State for Urban Development Sandhya Misal informed the House that action against illegal constructions is being taken under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. She urged MLAs to report instances from their constituencies, assuring that departmental action would follow and concerned officials would be held accountable.
