PMC’s proposed regulation for open spaces to create a stir
Given the growth of residential and commercial properties in Pune, getting an open space in the city is like finding needle in a haystack. In the last few decades, Pune has witnessed a vibrant growth with bustling industries, IT/ITES parks, malls, educational institutes etc. which has created a crunch for open space in the city. To add to it, the proposed regulation of the PMC to reserve the open spaces for housing societies has made the matter worse.
PMC’s proposed reservation of the open spaces owned by housing societies have been strictly opposed by the Pune District Housing Co-operative Federation. The new Development Plan(DP) of PMC for old areas of the city embarks the open spaces in housing societies. However, according to the Pune District Housing Co-operative Federation, such spaces are actually owned by societies and they can only decide what to do with it.
In this regard, individual members of housing societies can also submit their objection in court against the proposed regulation of PMC. The SC judgement 2011 highlights protection of such land for public utility and the involvement of the government in reducing the amenity reservations. Experts suggest that for the development of housing societies in Pune, the PMC should protect open spaces, instead of levying new reservations.
PMC’s Development Plan for 2007-2027
The new 20-year Development Plan (for 2007-2027) of PMC approved by the city improvement committee includes provisions for a transport hub, metro rail, housing projects, main road expansion along with cluster development of the old buildings. Major attractions of the plan include:
FSI 4 zone, nearly half kilometer, near the Metro corridor
FSI 4 for all four-star hotels, private hospitals and five-star hotels
Concreting the lakes and rivers to add roads and housing projects
FSI 3 for all the cluster growths in Pune
Reduction of recreational space
Flaws in the new Development Plan
There are certain section of people in the city who are not pleased with the new development plan of PMC. According to town planning experts, activists and common citizens, the new plan has been made to benefit the contractors and builders specifically. Experts confirm that the new plan includes confusing demographic figures that may have adverse effects. The population count in the DP is more than what is declared in the Census. Wrong figure for existing population is bound to make all kinds of government planning meaningless.
Further insight into the DP states that few open spaces that have been used as playground by the schools, will be used by PMC to create a recreational playground. This acts as a major setback for the proposed development plan of PMC. In addition to the omissions, according to the new DP, certain Hill Top/Hill Slope lands in Bibvewadi area will be converted into Residential zone, favoring the builders incessantly.
What can be done?
Petition to the Pune municipal corporation can be filed to increase the tenure for filing all the objections. Only the general problematic issues in the plan should be filed in the objections. To add to it, an individual can write an objection letter to the PMC after studying the section of the Development Plan that is related to a specific locality. Such letters should be submitted at PMC or the Town Planning Office.
Crunch for open spaces for public amenities in increasing with every passing day. A serious decision should be taken to prevent things from becoming worse. Experts suggest that societies should be allowed to decide what should be done with the open space. Rather than imposing further restrictions, the PMC should render a helping hand in developing the society and protecting the open spaces.
