PMRDA to scrap TP schemes if 50% farmers, gram panchayats oppose projects

Pune: PMRDA will recommend cancellation of town planning (TP) schemes in villages where at least 50% of farmers oppose the projects and their respective gram panchayats pass resolutions against them, metropolitan commissioner Abhijit Chaudhari said.He said TP schemes would not be forced upon unwilling landowners. His remarks came in response to intense objections raised by farmers and local body representatives from six villages in the Maval taluka. “If the concerned gram panchayat passes a resolution against the project and at least 50% of the farmers oppose it, the TP scheme will not be imposed,” Chaudhari said during a meeting with farmers recently.Representatives from Salumbre, Darumbre, Godumbre, Parandwadi, Dhamane, and Sangavade raised serious concerns over the proposed TP schemes and the 65-metre-wide inner ring road project. Addressing these concerns, Chaudhari explained that landowners could submit signed applications seeking the cancellation of these schemes. Upon receiving these, the authority will initiate legal proceedings to forward a formal cancellation proposal to the state govt.The commissioner also clarified that the width of the inner ring road will remain capped at 65 metres, ruling out any further expansion. He stated that the road alignment has been finalised in accordance with the regional plan and accommodated within the original 110-metre alignment blueprint, thereby avoiding any additional land acquisition.Chaudhari assured the farmers that Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority’s (PMRDA) final structural plan will officially specify the road’s width as 65 metres. Once this plan is approved, the existing zone certificates that currently mention a 110-metre width will be revised to reflect the updated 65-metre alignment.The authority has also promised fair valuation and full cash compensation for all land acquired for the project. Landowners who voluntarily give their consent for land acquisition will be eligible for additional financial compensation, the commissioner added.While the inner ring road is expected to spur development in adjoining areas, PMRDA’s structural plan will prioritise systematic planning for these zones. Detailed proposals for development sectors and urban amenities will be prepared in subsequent stages, Chaudhari said.Senior officials from the PMRDA, revenue department, land records department and land acquisition office were present at the meeting