Cluster development policy remains on paper six years after Pune civic body's approval

The cluster development policy is an important tool for promoting the redevelopment of old wadas and smaller properties in the Peth areas of Pune. However, the lack of approval from the state government has prevented its implementation, leading to concerns among residents and officials about the safety and development of the area. While the PMC is taking steps to address this issue, more needs to be done to expedite the redevelopment of these properties and ensure the safety and well-being of the residents of the Peth areas.

The cluster development policy, which aims to promote the redevelopment of old wadas and smaller properties in the Peth areas of Pune, has been stuck at the state level for around six years, despite being cleared by the Pune civic body. While the state government has approved the development plan for civic areas, the policy has not been given the green light. This has led to concerns among residents and officials in the area, who believe that the redevelopment of these properties is necessary for the safety and development of the Peth areas.

Old properties, particularly wadas, have become a threat to the lives of residents, with many structures weakened and accident-prone. According to Pune Municipal Corporation (MC) officials, the civic administration is helping wada owners in all possible ways within the existing limits, even though the special policy has not been approved. The follow-up for policy approval is underway with the state government, and the corporation is exploring the new provisions given in the unified development control and promotion rules (UDCPR) to expedite the redevelopment of wadas.

However, bringing many wadas under one roof is very difficult, as it is hard to get consent from owners and tenants of all these properties. Additionally, a number of properties are under litigation, making it challenging to create a big land-pool after demolishing multiple wadas in the same vicinity. The cluster development policy is designed to address these issues, providing incentives for redevelopment, such as additional 4 FSI, relaxations in the side/ front margins, special FSI for free rehabilitation of tenants, relaxation in road width for redeveloping properties, and a special cluster transfer of development rights (TDR).

Despite the benefits of the cluster development policy, it cannot be utilised in the absence of approval from the state government. As a result, many wadas and other weak structures have remained in place, posing a threat to the safety of residents. The PMC has given notices to 478 weak structures ahead of the rainy season in 2022, and 38 dilapidated wadas have been razed in civic limits. However, more needs to be done to promote the redevelopment of these properties and ensure the safety and development of the Peth areas.

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Cluster development policy remains on paper six years after Pune civic body's approval

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