Maharashtra Government Directs PMRDA to Draft Pune Metropolitan Structure Plan
The Maharashtra state government has issued a directive to the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), ordering the immediate initiation of the process to prepare a draft structure plan for the Pune metropolitan region (PMR). This significant move aims to establish a comprehensive framework for future urban planning and infrastructure development across the region.
Official Notification and Legal Framework
Senior officials from the urban development department confirmed that the notification was officially issued on February 10. The directive was executed in the public interest under the provisions inserted through Chapter III B of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. According to the amended legislation, a period of six months is allocated from the publication of the statutory notice for the preparation of the structure plan. Consequently, the state government has instructed PMRDA to commence action without delay.
PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase stated on Friday that the authority will promptly begin the preliminary work. "We are committed to completing the structure plan within the stipulated timeframe. This plan will play a crucial role in the overall planning of the region, particularly concerning roads and essential amenities," he emphasized.
Structure Plan vs. Development Plan
The directive was issued under Section 154 of the MRTP Act, 1966, following the withdrawal of the earlier draft development plan (DP) and the introduction of amendments that established the structure plan mechanism. Urban development officials explained that the structure plan is envisioned as a foundational document that will provide the base framework for all future regional and town-level amenities, as well as major road networks.
Unlike a traditional development plan, the structure plan will not include plot-wise reservations or detailed land-use zoning. Instead, it will define the broad spatial structure for infrastructure development, mobility networks, and environmental protection measures.
Key Components of the Structure Plan
As per Sections 42 H and 42 K of the amended MRTP Act, the structure plan will encompass several critical elements:
- Mapping of regional and city-level transport and communication routes, including major road corridors and connectivity networks for both intra-city and inter-city movement.
- Establishing the hierarchy and indicative widths of access roads to ensure efficient traffic flow.
- Providing a framework for regional amenities and public utility services such as water supply, sewage systems, solid waste management, and other key infrastructure.
- Identifying and safeguarding parks, biodiversity parks, hilltop and hillslope areas, and other environmentally sensitive zones to promote ecological balance.
Background and Legal Journey
The directive follows a lengthy and contentious planning and legal process. PMRDA first announced its intention to prepare a draft development plan for the PMR in June 2017. The draft plan, which covers Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and approximately 600 surrounding villages, was published for public objections and suggestions on August 2, 2021, attracting around 67,000 concerns from citizens.
In an order dated August 3, 2021, the Bombay High Court restrained the authorities from taking final action on the raised objections. After years of litigation, PMRDA resolved to cancel the draft plan in February 2025 and filed an affidavit before the court. The High Court subsequently dismissed all related petitions on July 15, 2025, and the state formally withdrew the DP process in September 2025.
Amendments introducing provisions for the preparation of structural plans were notified in the Maharashtra Government Gazette on August 29, 2025. The latest order operationalizes these provisions specifically for the Pune metropolitan region.
Future Implications and Leadership Directives
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also directed PMRDA to expedite the preparation of the structure plan, taking into account future population growth and urbanization trends. Once notified, the structure plan will serve as a guiding document for all future planning decisions and major infrastructure projects across the Pune metropolitan region.
A PMRDA official added that this plan will be instrumental in shaping sustainable development and enhancing the quality of life for residents by ensuring systematic and coordinated growth.
