PMRDA Seeks State Direction on Maan-Mhalunge Town Planning Scheme Implementation
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has formally requested clarity from the state urban development department (UDD) regarding the executing agency for the Maan-Mhalunge Town Planning Scheme (TPS-1). This move comes in light of Mhalunge village's recent merger into Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits, creating uncertainty over jurisdictional responsibilities for the significant urban development project.
Advanced Stage Project Awaits Final Approval
Officials have confirmed that the 250-hectare scheme's documentation has reached an advanced stage and now awaits final governmental approval to transition into the implementation phase. The PMRDA has specifically inquired whether it should continue as the special planning authority (SPA) for TPS-1 or if the PMC will assume control following the administrative merger. This clarification is crucial as the authority initiated the project in 2017 and has maintained jurisdiction throughout its development.
Model Town Planning Project for Hinjewadi Belt
The Maan-Mhalunge TPS-1 was conceived as a model town planning initiative for the rapidly expanding Hinjewadi region. Over several years, the scheme has undergone numerous rounds of discussions, redesigns, and arbitration processes. An appointed arbitrator finalized plot reconstitution and incorporated technical modifications, including revised flood lines and updated infrastructure layouts. Subsequently, the redesigned preliminary scheme was submitted to the state government for official approval.
PMRDA officials emphasized that the authority continues to function as the designated SPA to ensure project continuity, particularly as the initiative approaches the critical implementation stage. The authority has urgently appealed to the state government to expedite approval so that essential infrastructure development—including roads, water supply systems, sewage networks, and public amenities—can commence on the ground.
Landowner Concerns and Administrative Delays
Landowners within the Maan-Mhalunge area have expressed growing frustration over approval delays and execution uncertainties following the administrative merger with PMC. Many have been demanding swift resolution, citing nearly six years of waiting since the project's inception. One Mhalunge landowner stated, "We have been waiting for nearly six years now. It is exasperating to be unable to do anything with our land." Another beneficiary added, "I have written to the PMRDA commissioner regarding the delay and lack of clarity, as I have long planned to sell the land for other purposes."
The TPS-1 is anticipated to streamline development in the Hinjewadi-Maan-Mhalunge corridor and establish a model for planned urban expansion throughout the Pune Metropolitan Region. At a recent meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the UDD to accelerate decisions on pending PMRDA planning proposals and clear them promptly. However, a PMRDA official noted, "We have not received any clearance for this scheme, although four other schemes were cleared. The CM asked the department to clear the project."
Future Implications for Urban Development
The resolution of this jurisdictional question carries significant implications for Pune's urban planning framework. The Maan-Mhalunge TPS-1 represents a critical test case for coordinated development between metropolitan authorities and municipal corporations. As Pune continues to experience rapid expansion, particularly in technology corridors like Hinjewadi, efficient town planning mechanisms become increasingly vital for sustainable growth.
PMRDA's request for clarification underscores the administrative complexities that can arise when jurisdictional boundaries shift during long-term development projects. The state government's forthcoming decision will not only determine the immediate fate of this 250-hectare scheme but also establish precedents for future urban planning collaborations between regional development authorities and municipal bodies in Maharashtra's growing metropolitan areas.
