Pune : In a bold move to prioritize water sustainability in construction projects, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) Commissioner Rahul Mahiwal has halted the approval process for 20 out of 50 proposals received last week. The decision comes as developers failed to provide a transparent source of water for their projects.
These proposals, situated in the burgeoning building activity zones of Pune district’s Maval, Mulshi, and Haveli talukas, have been temporarily shelved until the water source is clarified. With over 200 building proposals received in the past two months, the scrutiny process is set to begin in February, with each proposal subject to a thorough site visit.
The directive to ensure clarity on water sources was issued by Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao last week, prompting PMRDA and municipal commissioners of Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad to withhold construction approvals until developers disclose their water supply plans.
PMRDA Commissioner Rahul Mahiwal emphasized that each proposal would be individually assessed, and permissions could be revoked if the promised water sources are not evident, especially in complexes where residents have not yet moved in.
Building permission department officials have announced a comprehensive review of permissions granted, incorporating builders’ affidavits and Gram Panchayat NOCs. The Divisional Commissioner’s instructions urged PMRDA to consider more than just developers’ affidavits when granting building permissions, aligning with the Bombay High Court’s directive to solicit public concerns about water supply.
Covering over 800 villages, two municipal corporations, seven municipal councils, and three cantonment boards, PMRDA has committed to scrutinizing approved construction projects more carefully, signaling a shift towards responsible development practices.
