The Hindu Business Line : Pune’s new development plan hanging fire

Pune, Dec. 19 The development plan (DP) for Pune is dragging its feet, says the real-estate sector. The earlier one expired in 2007 and the new one is still not in place. Surveys for the new one are expected to get over by October 2009.

What is causing the delay for the new DP?

According to Mr Atul Goel, Managing Director, Goel Ganga Group, there is lack of vision, commitment and leadership.

The first statutory ‘development plan’ was prepared in 1966. The first revision process of this DP was started in 1982 and the revised DP was sanctioned in 1987 by the Government. The validity of this plan was for 20 years, i.e., up to 2007. The DP enabled planning for orderly development of a town, zoning of lands for different purposes, reservation of private lands for public purposes, frame work of rules and bye-laws for building control, repair and development of old and dilapidated areas, protection of the environment, conservation of heritage buildings and creation of new infrastructure for future growth.

The new development plan under consideration, according to Mr Rajiv Raje, Architect-Planner of DP, would concentrate more on the core city and the villages outside the city limits. It would take into consideration the zoning of the land, reservation for public places, etc, for the next 20 years. “All this planning is based on surveys and the DP is expected to be completed within one year, but there is no deadline.” The 23 villages brought under the city limits in 1997 already have in place a development plan. The only sanction obtained in this regard so far is the Baner-Balewadi section. “We are also bringing under consideration the ‘Peth’ areas, or the old Pune. Most buildings here date back to 1962 or even earlier. If these structures are not reconstructed, the city will present a pathetic face. To ensure that the development of the city happens in full, we are looking to bring in private players to develop the core areas. And this can happen only if there is a conglomeration of the land holdings,” says Mr Raje. Mr Lalit Kumar Jain, Chairman, Kumar Builders, says the current development plan is not futuristic. It does not look at Pune as a global destination, he feels.

Mr Anil Seoleker of Oxford Properties says the the sooner the DP is put in place, sooner will the revenues for the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) rise. Once tax structures are rationalised, the area as a whole would yield more revenue.

Mr Rajesh Choudhary, Committee Member, PBAP (Promoters and Builders Association of Pune), says three attempts were made to revisit the DP. But there has been no breakthrough.

The real-estate sector is looking to the authorities to get the ball rolling.

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