The Hindu Business Line : ‘Cover shortcomings in draft housing policy’

Pune, Aug 7 There are a few anomalies in Maharashtra’s draft housing policy, according to Mr. Swadhin Kshatriya,Principal Secretary, Housing, Maharashtra. He said the Government should look into rent act, redevelopment of MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority), land availability and development of satellite townships. He was in the city today for a seminar organised by the Promoters and Builders Association of Pune (PBAP). It may be recalled that the Maharashtra had unveiled the draft in the Legislative Assembly in July

The draft policy said it would promote private investment , facilitate development of townships, raise FSI limits and ensure sale of apartments on the basis of carpet area. It would also allow non-farmersto buy land and there would be no ceiling limits for holding land. Special township schemes have also been proposed to bring more affordable houses for middle class and according to the policy, these schemes would be carried outside the Municipal Corporation Area by raising the FSI limit. “Through the policy we have tackled the issues of SRA (slum rehabilitation authority), LIG (low income group), MIG (middle income group) and EWS (economically weaker section). We are also stressing upon the optimum use of the transfer of development rights (TDR) in the case of redoing old buildings.”

Mr. Pravin Sinh Pardeshi, PMC Commissioner, said it is in the process of setting up a company which would look into infrastructure. “We do not have the capacity to look after all the infrastructure projects of the city.” He said the PMC which has enough funds within itself would be using Rs 200 crore for the road infrastructure project which is to be ready by September 2008.

He said Pune was growing at more than 10 per cent compared with other cities. “More than Rs. 10,000 crores is being used for building 6,000 crores sq ft while the basic infrastructure such as water supply, sewage and roads do not seem to getting their due.” He added that to improve the public transport system in the city, it has begun its survey for two or three metro routes , which is expected to happen within the next five years.

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