Ramit Mehrotra, Pune
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has ordered the termination of a prominent high-rise project in Wakad over numerous complaints pouring into the PCMC commissioner’s office. The stop-notice issue comes amidst PCMC’s approval of a 21-story high-rise project given its design and robust amenities, on a land plot reserved by Pune Mahangar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML), in return for approx. Rs. 60 crore as revenue.
Shekhar Singh, PCMC commissioner said that the developer of the project has been issued a notice on Friday to shut all construction activities to an immediate effect. The decision comes after the developer was granted the Transferable Development Right (TDR) by the corporation to utilize the reserved land for the construction of a commercial complex. There are strong allegations of the municipal body giving excess TDR by violating the regulations.
Transferable Development Rights (TDR) is a certificate obtained by the property developer by the civic body, indicating that the specified property is eligible for public use. The property owner gets the reserve rights over the construction of the project. It is a technique used to protect the ownership rights of a specific property that holds a potential conservation value permanently.
Singh added that the decision to stop the project was made after considering all inputs, letters and grievances. The project has been stayed and a final decision will be made after the concurrence of the State government.
In the winter session of the Parliament last year, the Leader of the opposition, Vijay Wettidar in the state assembly, accused the PCMC officials of violating rules while granting TDR to the developer of the project. He stated that the builder was given a benefit of Rs. 680 crores through this deal.
The PCMC commissioner does not wish to provide any input on the issue at the surface. He says they have analysed the allegations from every angle, every aspect possible, and would suspend the project immediately if they found even 1% of doubt in scope.
The Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar, also stated there are inconsistencies with the TDR granted upon the reserved properties in the Wakad area, and has decided to stop the controversial deal over the project.