Cabinet to Take Decision on Making Properties of New Town Development Authority Freehold!

Assurance from Cabinet Minister Uday Samant in the Legislative Assembly

Notable intervention by BJP MLA Mahesh Landge

Pimpri-Chinchwad | Correspondent

The state government is positive about making the properties under the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Town Development Authority (PCNTDA) “freehold.” Just like the Mahayuti government decided to make properties in CIDCO and PMRDA regions freehold, a similar decision is likely for the properties in the jurisdiction of PCMC. The proposal has been submitted to the Revenue and Finance Departments. A decision in this regard will be taken in an upcoming Cabinet meeting, assured Cabinet Minister Uday Samant in the Assembly.

After the New Town Development Authority was merged with PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority) in 2021, the authority’s properties were divided between PCMC and PMRDA. The authority had developed properties nearly 40 years ago, which were allotted on 99-year lease terms. Due to this, property owners face technical difficulties during redevelopment, succession recording, and transfer procedures. Therefore, to resolve these issues, BJP MLA Mahesh Landge has been consistently following up on the matter under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

On October 11, 2024, the Cabinet decided to make 11,293 flats and 495 commercial units in the PMRDA region freehold, and a government resolution (GR) was also published accordingly—providing relief to those property holders. However, a decision regarding the remaining properties falling under PCMC jurisdiction has not yet been made. During the monsoon session of the legislature, MLA Mahesh Landge raised this issue to draw the government’s attention.

MLA Landge placed three major demands before the government:

Make PCNTDA properties under PCMC jurisdiction freehold.

Remove around 3,500 plot holders from the “Red Zone” restrictions.

Transfer unused government buildings of the New Town Development Authority to the municipal corporation for redevelopment.

He also insisted that a Cabinet meeting be held soon to resolve these issues.

In response, Cabinet Minister Uday Samant gave a positive reply, stating that the state government is committed to making the authority’s properties in the PCMC area freehold. The proposal is currently with the Revenue and Finance Departments and will be discussed in the Cabinet. He also assured that a positive approach will be taken towards relieving Red Zone-affected property holders and redeveloping unused government buildings.

Reaction:

“The Pimpri-Chinchwad New Town Development Authority, established in 1972, has now fulfilled its purpose and has been merged into PMRDA. Many buildings are now old and dilapidated and cannot be redeveloped under the current lease system. Just like the freehold decision taken for properties under PMRDA, we are actively pursuing the same for those under PCMC. This decision will benefit approximately 85,706 property holders. Previously allotted plots have now fallen under the Red Zone and must be excluded. The Cabinet Minister has given a positive assurance about redevelopment of unused government buildings as well. We will continue to follow up rigorously on these demands.”

– Mahesh Landge, MLA, BJP, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune.