New Rule to Curb Land Fraud: Now Layout Clearance Needed Before Plot Measurement in Maharashtra

Pune, 10th February 2026: To promote planned urban growth and curb land fraud, the Maharashtra Town Planning Department has made it mandatory to obtain approval for a tentative layout before measuring land situated within the limits of municipal corporations, municipal councils and local planning authorities.

Under the new directive, landowners must secure approval of a tentative layout (proposed development plan) from the concerned planning authority before applying for land measurement. The department has instructed all municipal commissioners and chief officers of municipal councils across the state to implement the order with immediate effect.

The move is aimed at tackling problems caused by rapid urbanisation, unregulated land subdivision and weak enforcement of planning laws, which have resulted in illegal land transactions, unauthorised constructions and disputes, leading to financial losses for citizens.

Although the Land Records Department had earlier issued related guidelines, several local bodies were found to be ignoring them.

As per the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, and the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), prior permission from the competent authority is compulsory before carrying out any development activity. Poor implementation of these provisions had enabled illegal buying and selling of land and the construction of unauthorised structures.

Under the revised procedure, landowners must first submit a proposed layout map of the land to the planning authority. After verification, the authority will grant tentative approval and forward the approved layout along with a no-objection certificate to the Land Records Department for measurement.

The Land Records Department will then measure the land as per the tentatively approved layout and send the measurement report to the local development authority. After scrutiny, the municipal corporation, municipal council or planning authority will grant final approval to the layout and forward it back to the Land Records Department for demarcation and correction of land records.

Only after this process is completed will land demarcation and record updates be carried out. The state government believes the new system will help prevent illegal development and protect citizens from land-related fraud.