The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to receive a significant financial boost, with expectations of generating around Rs 200 crore annually from granting building permissions in the recently merged areas. This follows the transfer of authority from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to the civic body.
A Financial Lifeline for Civic Projects
PMC officials have stated that this new revenue stream will help alleviate pressure on municipal finances. The funds are earmarked to accelerate infrastructure development in the nine villages that were incorporated into PMC limits back in 2017. The state government had approved the Development Plan (DP) for these merged areas in October of this year.
"This revenue will ease the strain on civic finances and fund infrastructure projects in these newly added zones, helping us speed up the implementation of the development plan," explained a civic official. The planning for civic amenities in the draft DP was based on a current population of approximately 6 lakh residents in these villages, with projections suggesting it will rise to 8 lakh by 2035.
Focus on Infrastructure and Pending Formalities
The PMC plans to conduct a detailed needs assessment for infrastructure development in the merged zones and execute projects based on its findings. Major initiatives already in the pipeline include establishing a new sewage treatment network and modern water supply systems. Officials estimate these critical projects will require an investment exceeding Rs 1,500 crore in the coming years.
While the transfer of powers has been announced, the PMC is awaiting the official government resolution (GR) to begin implementation. Rajesh Bankar, a senior official in PMC's building permission department, confirmed, "Implementation will begin once the GR is issued."
Resident Concerns and Rapid Development
Residents of the merged areas have long complained about overlapping jurisdictions between the PMC and PMRDA, which they say has hindered the effective delivery of civic services. There are also allegations that funds originally allocated for older parts of the city are being diverted to develop the new zones, slowing overall progress across Pune.
Despite these civic issues, these locations are experiencing a real estate boom. Mitali Mahajan, a resident of Ambegaon, highlighted the contradiction: "These locations are witnessing rapid real estate development, generating significant revenue. Construction activity is booming, and properties are selling, but residents still face numerous civic issues." The anticipated revenue from building permissions is seen as a direct outcome of this construction surge and a potential solution to fund the necessary civic upgrades.
