State Government Grants Pune Municipal Corporation Full Planning Authority Over Merged Areas
In a landmark decision that concludes years of administrative uncertainty, the Maharashtra state government has formally approved the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) as the exclusive planning authority for 23 areas that were integrated into the city's civic limits back in 2021. This long-awaited notification, issued by the state's urban development department on Wednesday, effectively reshapes Pune's developmental trajectory by consolidating control under a single municipal body.
Ending the Dual-Authority Maze
Since their merger into PMC jurisdiction three years ago, residents and developers in these fringe localities have navigated a perplexing grey zone of governance. While PMC managed essential civic services like water supply and sanitation, the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) retained control over critical planning functions, including issuing building permits and approving development plans. This dual-authority framework created significant operational challenges, with overlapping directives, ambiguous permission processes, and frequently stalled enforcement actions that left stakeholders frustrated and confused.
The state's notification definitively withdraws PMRDA's status as the special planning authority for these 23 areas, establishing PMC as the sole entity responsible for all future urban planning activities. This comprehensive authority encompasses preparing fresh development plans, granting building permissions, designing road networks, and executing vital civic infrastructure upgrades across the newly incorporated territories.
Years of Advocacy Culminate in Resolution
This administrative resolution did not materialize overnight. Since the initial merger in 2021, elected representatives, civic officials, and community activists have persistently lobbied the state government to clarify the jurisdictional limbo. Last September, PMC formally submitted a written request urging the removal of these areas from PMRDA's oversight. Prominent activists, including former corporator Ujjwal Keskar, escalated the matter by approaching the Bombay High Court to demand clarity and accountability in governance.
The turning point arrived recently when the state government cancelled PMRDA's earlier development plan for the merged pockets, paving the way for Wednesday's decisive notification. Urban Development Minister and Parvati MLA Madhuri Misal welcomed the announcement, stating, "This decision will ensure planned and holistic development in the merged areas. The government is committed to integrated urban growth, and I have consistently followed up to expedite this resolution."
Transformative Implications for Pune's Development
For residents of the merged areas, this shift promises transformative changes. PMC officials confirm that the corporation will soon receive all documentation related to previous building permissions, along with its rightful share of revenue collected by PMRDA from those approvals. This financial and administrative transfer will empower PMC to fully assume charge—sanctioning new construction plans, regulating building activities, and implementing long-pending infrastructure projects that have languished under the previous fragmented system.
Former corporator Ujjwal Keskar, who campaigned vigorously for this change, emphasized its significance: "PMC was providing civic services but lacked the authority to curb illegal constructions or haphazard development. Now, with unified planning powers, it can prepare a coherent development plan and execute proper developmental works." The move aligns with directives issued months before the municipal corporation polls by then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who instructed authorities to complete procedures appointing PMC as the planning authority.
Next Steps in the Handover Process
Over the coming days, PMC anticipates formal instructions detailing the handover protocol from PMRDA. A senior PMC official outlined the forthcoming steps: "We expect to receive all documents pertaining to building permissions and urban planning. PMRDA is also obligated to transfer PMC's share of revenue generated from building permissions issued in the merged areas. Our team will work out all logistical and administrative details promptly to ensure a smooth transition."
This consolidation of planning authority marks a critical milestone in Pune's urban governance, potentially accelerating infrastructure development, enhancing regulatory clarity, and fostering more cohesive growth across the expanded municipal landscape.
