Pune TP schemes’ future in the dark as state cancels plans

Pune: The future of proposed town planning (TP) schemes in Pune is in the dark after the state govt has decided to put the brakes on them after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, in a recent meeting, told authorities to scrap them.“Processes like arbitration for land acquisition were carried out in some cases. Land acquisition has progressed. Now, rolling it back is an issue,” a senior PMC official said.Pune has 15 TP schemes which began as early as 1915. The city has eight of them developed between 1939 and 1989 in areas like Deccan Gymkhana, Gultekdi, Parvati, Sangamwadi, Mangalwar Peth and Hadapsar Industrial Estate.However, the rest of the TP schemes have halted in the last four decades. Pune Municipal Corporation tried to revive the schemes and launched two projects in Uruli-Phursungi on 600 hectares. According to civic officials, the event was significant as it was the first TP scheme in around four decades by the PMC.The administration promoted the scheme in various areas due to multiple benefits. It helped create infrastructure like drainage systems, sewage systems, roads, water supply lines, gardens, schools and public hospitals.The areas on Pune-Saswad Road beyond Hadapsar were granted an independent municipal council following years of demerger demands. In 2024, the state govt issued a final notification officially removing these locations from PMC limits and establishing a new, combined Phursungi-Uruli Devachi Municipal Council.These two localities were originally among the 11 villages that were merged into the PMC limits in 2017. The scheme was handed over to Uruli-Phursungi Municipal Council after the demerger.“The newly formed organisation should make sure the scheme is completed but there are conflicting opinions about the scheme. Locals should be taken into confidence before finalising any decision about its fate,” Vishal Harpale, an elected member from Uruli-Phursungi, said.As per PMC data, a total of around 608.95 hectares was up for development, which included two schemes in Phursungi of 260.67 hectares and 238.50 hectares, and one at Uruli Devachi of 109.78 hectares.Urban planners have supported the TP schemes. “The stoppage of the TP schemes is not correct. Such schemes are helpful for rapid urbanisation. It is a win-win situation for citizens as well as for the govt. More such schemes should be designed and implemented,” said Ramchandra Gohad, a senior urban planner.PMRDA is also implementing the TP schemes; it includes the Mhalunge-Maan Town Planning (TP) scheme, showcased by the state at the Magnetic Maharashtra investment summit in 2018 as a model for planned urbanisation through land pooling. TP schemes at Wadachiwadi, Autade-Handewadi and two schemes in Holkarwadi were approved by PMRDA. They are to be handed over to PMC.