Pune Property Tax Scam? Drone Survey Reveals Thousands of Unregistered Properties
Pune, 19th May 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is reportedly losing crores of rupees in annual revenue due to over four lakh properties remaining outside the property tax net and several properties undergoing changes in usage without updated records. While the Property Tax Department has faced limitations in identifying such properties through conventional methods, a 3D Twin Drone Survey conducted by MahaPREIT has revealed that tax-defaulter properties can be detected more efficiently through advanced mapping technology.
According to civic officials, a pilot survey conducted by MahaPREIT indicated that PMC could generate nearly Rs 75 crore in additional revenue from just 90 properties. However, the proposal has currently stalled due to disagreements over the compensation demanded by the agency for carrying out the exercise.
Rapid urbanisation across Pune has led to a sharp rise in residential and commercial constructions. However, officials say the number of newly assessed properties remains disproportionately low compared to the pace of development, directly affecting PMC’s revenue collection.
Under the existing process, developers or property owners are expected to apply for property tax assessment after receiving the completion certificate from PMC. The property is then physically measured before tax is levied. Civic officials admit that the process is time-consuming and lacks transparency, resulting in significant revenue leakage.
According to administrative estimates, nearly four lakh properties in Pune have not yet been officially registered in the tax system. Officials believe these properties could collectively generate more than Rs 1,000 crore in additional revenue for the civic body.
Officials said the 3D Twin Drone Survey carried out by MahaPREIT under the Disaster Management Department covered the entire city using vehicle-mounted and aerial drones. The survey reportedly collected detailed data about properties already under the tax net as well as those that have escaped assessment. The technology allows authorities to access property details instantly, making it easier to identify tax defaulters and unauthorised changes in land use.
As part of the exercise, MahaPREIT submitted files related to recovery of approximately Rs 75 crore to the PMC Property Tax Department through the Disaster Management Department. Of this, around Rs 55 crore is expected to be recovered from 78 unregistered properties, while another Rs 20 crore could come from 12 additional properties.
However, the proposal hit a roadblock after MahaPREIT sought 30 per cent of the recovered amount as compensation for the survey and identification process. PMC’s Property Tax Department reportedly rejected the proposal, calling the demand financially unviable.
“PMC can benefit from the drone survey conducted by MahaPREIT. However, they have demanded 30 per cent of the recovered amount as compensation, which makes the proposal impractical. Therefore, the files were not accepted. Discussions will be held with senior officials to reduce the percentage of compensation,” said Ravi Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of the Property Tax Department.
Administrative sources said PMC may instead consider directly appointing the private company that conducted the survey for MahaPREIT and offer around 9 per cent compensation instead of 30 per cent.
According to PMC data, the highest projected recoveries from unregistered properties are from the Ghole Road-Shivajinagar and Nagar Road-Wadgaon Sheri ward offices.
Ward office-wise projected recovery figures:
Dhole Patil Road: 8 properties — Rs 14.38 crore
Aundh-Baner: 23 properties — Rs 2.13 crore
Ghole Road-Shivajinagar: 24 properties — Rs 17.27 crore
Hadapsar: 2 properties — Rs 3.75 crore
Dhankawadi: 13 properties — Rs 13.79 lakh
Nagar Road-Wadgaon Sheri: 2 properties — Rs 15.07 crore
Yerawada: 7 properties — Rs 3.69 crore
The total projected recovery from 78 identified properties stands at approximately Rs 55.34 crore.
