PMRDA Eases Road Norms for Fringe-Area Development
– New procedure brings clarity to residential projects around Pune, PCMC and other urban bodies
Pune : The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has introduced a uniform procedure for processing residential development proposals in fringe areas around Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, with a particular focus on road connectivity and access to proposed projects.
The move is aimed at resolving a key hurdle faced by landowners seeking development permission on agricultural land covered under the residential-use provisions of the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR-2020).
Under the new procedure, PMRDA will consider multiple categories of roads while examining development proposals, including roads shown in the approved Regional Plan, roads included in cancelled draft Development Plans, existing roads on the ground and roads proposed with the consent of landowners.
Internal roads proposed within a development will also have to be connected to adjoining plots or the existing road network, ensuring continuity of access.
PMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Abhijit Chaudhary has issued a circular making the procedure effective immediately in fringe areas adjoining Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations, seven municipal councils and two nagar panchayats under PMRDA jurisdiction. Lonavala Municipal Council has been kept outside its scope.
Importantly, PMRDA will continue considering roads shown in cancelled draft Development Plans for development permissions in these areas until the authority’s new Structure Plan is published.
Where a road of the prescribed width already exists on the ground and provides access to the proposed development, the authority will process the proposal for approval, according to the circular.
Residential Use Within Prescribed Limits
The UDCPR-2020 permits residential use of agricultural land within specified distances from urban local body limits, subject to applicable premiums and other planning conditions.
The permissible distance is up to two kilometres from municipal corporation limits, one kilometre from municipal council limits and 500 metres from nagar panchayat limits.
Such residential use is subject to payment of a premium equivalent to 15 per cent of the applicable Annual Statement of Rates (ASR) value of the land. PMRDA said the new procedure is intended to bring greater uniformity and clarity to development permissions in rapidly urbanising fringe areas.
“Development pressure is increasing significantly in the fringe areas adjoining cities. The provisions under UDCPR will enable residential development in these areas in a planned manner and will also help develop a coordinated network of necessary roads,” Dr Chaudhary said.
The authority expects the procedure to facilitate regulated development while helping prevent unauthorised and fragmented construction in areas surrounding Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad.
