Decks cleared for mega city

Speaking with media persons today, Sudhakar Velankar, President of the Association of Plot-Holders, revealed that a draft plan was chalked out on April 30, and on approval by State Cabinet would become the plan of implementation for plot holders. The development charge of Rs 20 per sq ft to Rs 60 per sq ft will have to be paid by the plot holder, he said, adding that the alternate plot would be given on a perpetual lease basis. The rate of compensation will be the basis of lease rent and the government formula for lease will be applicable, he added.

The development charge to be paid by the plot holder will be adjusted from the amount of compensation to be received by the plot holder. Moreover, all those whose purchase deeds are registered prior to April 2, 1997, will be eligible for benefits under this scheme. The draft plan will be discussed, before being given final consent, at the Association’s general body meeting on May 10 at Udyan Prasad Karyalaya, he said.

It may be recalled that the State government had made it clear that it intended to acquire the land owned by farmers and plot holders from for the mega city project through which it aims to fund the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. According to Velankar, out of private land measuring about 400 hectares in Sus, Baner, Mhalunge in Pune city and Tathawade in Pune district, nearly 80 hectares is under cultivation belonging to about 25 families, 250 hectares are occupied by plot-holders and developers while the remaining 70-80 hectares is owned by government institutions. There are an approximate 6000 plot holders in the proposed acquisition area, Velankar said.

Even as the anti-mega city rally was organised way back in July last year, the government later declared unequivocally that it would protect the interest of the plot-holders in the proposed acquisition area, Velankar said adding that the association’s representatives met the PWD Minister Nitin Gadkari and a draft plan was mutually agreed upon.