Pune: 172 PCMC Owned Shops Lie Vacant; Bhosari Complex Tops the List

Pimpri, 9th November 2023: A total of 172 shops owned by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in the city currently remain unoccupied, raising concerns about the underutilization of commercial spaces. Of these vacant shops, the highest number, 53, is located in the Bhosari shopping complex. Officials from the Municipal Land and Estates Department attribute the lack of demand for these spaces to their locations on the first and second floors.

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has established 946 business centres across all eight zonal office areas. Of these, 187 are currently being utilized by the Municipal Corporation, and 392 plots have been allocated on a lease deed basis. Consequently, 194 such leases have been granted every month. However, the remaining 172 plots have not yet found takers.

Leases for commercial plots are typically granted for a duration of 5 to 10 years, depending on the demand from citizens, with fees ranging from Rs 3 to 10 lakhs. In the 2022-23 financial year, the Land and Life Department recorded its highest income, generating 3 crore 43 lakhs in revenue from land rent. Nevertheless, the Municipality could potentially further increase its income for the current financial year if these 172 vacant shops were leased.

The vacant commercial spaces raise concerns about the efficient utilization of resources and potential revenue generation for the PCMC. Authorities may need to consider strategies to make these shops more appealing to prospective tenants and businesses, thereby promoting economic growth in the area.