PUNE: The state government has constituted a 12-member committee to conduct a fresh survey of river flood lines in Maharashtra, including in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, almost a year after they assured its installation. The panel has been asked to submit its report within two months. The government also directed the committee to review the existing norms and recommend whether any changes were required in the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) to enable the use of transfer of development rights (TDR), especially for properties located within flood lines but constructed before the demarcation of the irrigation department in 2009.
A significant number of properties – especially in Pimpri Chinchwad – were built before delimitation 17 years ago. Although these structures are legal, redevelopment has stalled as developers are unwilling to take on projects where TDR cannot be used under current regulations. The panel includes officials from the departments of urban planning, environment, irrigation and relief and rehabilitation, along with municipal commissioners of Pimpri Chinchwad, Kolhapur and Chandrapur, where the issue is more acute and affects a sizeable population.
The issue was raised in the Assembly in March last year by Chinchwad BJP MLA Shankar Jagtap, following which the government assured of a fresh statewide inquiry.
“The decision comes as a big relief to the citizens of Pimpri Chinchwad and the rest of the state. For years, the pending issue has created hurdles in construction clearances and redevelopment. The new inquiry will bring clarity to the rules and remove confusion,” Jagtap said, adding that CM Devendra Fadnavis had promised a re-examination during the citizens’ election campaign earlier this year and he fulfilled the same by issuing an order to constitute the panel.
Residents say at least 124 housing societies in Chinchwad alone, many of which were built 30 to 40 years ago, face redevelopment hurdles due to their location within the demarcated flood lines. While welcoming the move, some questioned the composition of the panel.
Yogesh Rane, member of Chinchwad Housing Societies and Apartments — an association of 124 such affected societies — said the committee consists of administrative officers only. “The government should include public representatives and experts from citizen groups. The flood line issue itself arose from administrative decisions, so there are concerns whether the same system can provide an effective solution,” he said, adding that the report should include the help residents are seeking.
Environmentalists called the decision long overdue, claiming that the existing flood lines had been unscientifically marked. Activist Sarang Yadwadkar said he had approached the National Green Tribunal in 2014, which ordered the state to redraw the flood lines, but no action was taken. “While this step is welcome, the government should not allow additional TDR or FSI use for properties already within the flood limits as that would increase the flood risk. Instead, a rehabilitation plan and council-based relocation for authorized properties should be considered,” he said, adding that there are thousands of such authorized structures in every city in the state.
Yadwadkar said the entire world is already facing a major challenge due to climate change, which is increasing flood risk; therefore, structures already in the flood lines should be relocated and residents rehabilitated to a safe location.
#Maharashtra #forming #panel #explore #TDR #relief #properties #facing #redevelopment #hurdles