Six proposed town planning schemes covering 1,000 hectares in the Pune Metropolitan Region are awaiting approval in the ongoing budget session, according to PMRDA officials. These projects, overseen by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), include five schemes along the proposed ring road and one in Maan-Mhalunge, which was previously highlighted as a model scheme. While these proposals were submitted last year, they faced delays due to back-to-back elections. PMRDA remains optimistic that the projects will be discussed and approved soon, given that the Chief Minister chairs the authority. These schemes, based on the Gujarat model, would allocate 50% of the developed land back to the original landowners.
The state government had given in-principle approval to 15 additional town planning schemes last year, with the Centre announcing dedicated infrastructure funds for them. However, delays in final approval are affecting landowners and development prospects in areas such as Vadachiwadi, Autunde Handewadi, Manjari Kolwadi, and Holkarwadi. The Centre has committed Rs 25 crore for each of the five schemes (excluding Maan-Mhalunge), while PMRDA has earmarked Rs 125 crore. Despite this, residents remain skeptical about timely implementation, fearing further delays in infrastructure development due to the prolonged approval process by the state government.