Maharashtra Government Constitutes Committee for Statewide River Flood Line Re-survey
The Maharashtra state government has officially constituted a 12-member committee tasked with undertaking a comprehensive re-survey of river flood lines across the entire state. This significant move comes almost a full year after the government assured the legislative assembly that such a survey would be conducted. The committee's formation is particularly crucial for urban areas like Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, where flood line demarcations have long impacted property development and redevelopment projects.
Committee Mandate and Timeline
The newly formed panel has been directed to submit its detailed report within a strict timeframe of two months. In addition to conducting the re-survey, the committee has received specific instructions to thoroughly review the existing norms and regulations. A key aspect of their review will involve determining whether amendments are necessary to the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR).
The primary focus of these potential amendments centers on the use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) for properties situated within designated flood lines. This issue is especially pertinent for structures that were legally constructed prior to the irrigation department's official demarcation in 2009. A substantial number of properties, particularly in the Pimpri Chinchwad region, fall into this category, having been built over seventeen years ago.
Addressing Longstanding Redevelopment Stagnation
While these older structures remain legally recognized, their redevelopment has been effectively stalled for years. Developers have been consistently unwilling to undertake projects on these sites due to the current prohibition on utilizing TDR under the prevailing rules. This regulatory impasse has created significant hurdles for property owners and housing societies seeking to modernize or rebuild aging infrastructure.
The committee comprises senior officials from multiple key state departments, including town planning, environment, irrigation, and relief and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the municipal commissioners of Pimpri Chinchwad, Kolhapur, and Chandrapur have been included as members, recognizing that the flood line issue is particularly acute and affects a sizeable population in these urban centers.
Political Advocacy and Public Response
The issue was originally raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly in March of last year by Chinchwad BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap. Following his advocacy, the government committed to conducting a statewide re-survey. "This decision represents a major relief for the citizens of Pimpri Chinchwad and the rest of Maharashtra," Jagtap stated. "For many years, this pending issue has created insurmountable hurdles in obtaining building permissions and facilitating redevelopment. The fresh survey will bring much-needed clarity to the rules and finally remove the prevailing confusion."
Jagtap added that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had promised such a re-survey during the civic election campaign earlier this year and has now fulfilled that promise by issuing the official order to form the committee.
On the ground, residents report that at least 124 housing societies in Chinchwad alone, many constructed thirty to forty years ago, are facing severe redevelopment obstacles due to their location within the demarcated flood lines. While the government's move is widely welcomed, some stakeholders have raised questions about the committee's composition.
Concerns Over Committee Composition and Broader Implications
Yogesh Rane, a representative from the Chinchwad Housing Societies and Apartments association, which represents the 124 affected societies, noted that the committee currently comprises only administrative officers. "The government should consider including public representatives and experts from citizens' groups," Rane suggested. "The flood line issue itself originated from past administrative decisions, so there is a legitimate concern about whether the same system can now deliver an effective and equitable solution." He emphasized that the final report must address the specific relief that residents have been seeking for years.
Environmental activists have described the decision as long overdue, with some alleging that the existing flood lines were marked unscientifically. Activist Sarang Yadwadkar revealed that he approached the National Green Tribunal back in 2014, which subsequently directed the state to redraw the flood lines, but no concrete action was taken until now.
"While this move is certainly welcome, the government must exercise caution," Yadwadkar warned. "It should not permit additional TDR or Floor Space Index (FSI) usage for properties already located within flood lines, as such measures would inadvertently increase flood risk. Instead, a comprehensive rehabilitation plan and township-based relocation for authorized properties should be seriously considered."
Yadwadkar pointed out that there are thousands of such authorized structures in cities across Maharashtra. He further stressed that with the whole world already facing major challenges due to climate change, which has demonstrably increased flood risks, the prudent course of action is to relocate structures situated within flood lines and rehabilitate residents to safer locations.
