Pune Metropolitan Body Withdraws Draft Development Plan Amidst Legal Village Row
The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has officially informed the Bombay High Court of its decision to withdraw the contentious Draft Development Plan (DP), initially unveiled in August 2021. This move, communicated via an affidavit, signals a significant shift in the protracted jurisdictional tussle over planning authority within the rapidly urbanizing Pune region. However, the core legal dispute concerning the planning rights over 23 villages, which were merged into the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) limits in 2021, remains unresolved, with two related petitions slated for a crucial hearing on August 25.
The controversial draft DP had previously drawn widespread criticism, accumulating over 60,000 objections and suggestions from various residents and civic organizations. In response to these concerns, the High Court had imposed a stay on the plan in October 2022, citing a range of procedural and planning irregularities. While PMRDA had earlier indicated intentions to revise and reintroduce the plan following the court’s intervention, its latest submission formally confirms the withdrawal of those immediate efforts, at least for the foreseeable future, making the previous draft officially non-existent.
The ongoing legal contention centers on whether PMRDA or PMC possesses the legitimate planning authority over the 23 newly merged villages. Petitioners have specifically challenged the state government’s notification of July 14, 2021, which designated PMRDA as the Special Planning Authority under Section 40 of the MRTP Act. They contend that this notification directly infringes upon PMC’s established jurisdiction, given that these villages are now officially incorporated within the municipal limits of Pune city. The High Court’s deliberations on August 25 are therefore critical, as they are expected to significantly influence the future planning roadmap for Pune’s expanding urban boundaries and the overall development trajectory.
This withdrawal underscores the complexities of urban expansion and governance. The unresolved jurisdictional dispute highlights the critical need for clear legal frameworks in managing metropolitan growth. The court’s eventual decision will significantly shape Pune’s future planning, influencing infrastructure, resource allocation, and the sustainable development trajectory of its expanding urban landscape.
