Pune: MoS Madhuri Misal Acts on Hilltop-Zone Concerns, Study Panel Formed to Frame New Guidelines
Pune, 10th April 2025: In a significant step towards resolving long-standing issues related to development and environmental conservation, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) have jointly set up a study group to prepare regulations for Hill Top-Hill Slope (HTHS) zones and Biodiversity Park (BDP) reservations. This initiative follows the persistent efforts of Minister of State for Urban Development, Madhuri Misal.
The proposed Hilltop-Hillslope and BDP zones are part of the sanctioned development plans of both PMC and PMRDA. These areas, marked for ecological preservation, include environmentally sensitive lands that have remained largely undeveloped. Landowners in these zones have been lobbying the government for years, seeking reclassification of their properties into residential zones due to stalled development.
Responding to the ongoing demands and ecological concerns, Madhuri Misal, soon after assuming office, directed a comprehensive approach to address the matter. Instead of making piecemeal decisions on individual proposals, she advocated for a holistic regulatory framework covering all ecologically sensitive zones in the state.
“Considering both development bottlenecks and environmental values of Pune, this committee will study citizen objections and expert suggestions. It is expected to submit a comprehensive report soon,” Misal stated.
Committee Led by Former IAS Officer
The study group will be chaired by retired IAS officer Ramanath Jha, who brings extensive experience in urban planning, including tenures as commissioner in municipal corporations and as former chief of MMRDA. The group comprises:
- Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation
- Metropolitan Commissioner, PMRDA
- Joint Director, Town Planning, Pune Division
- City Engineer, PMC
- Deputy Director, Urban Planning and Research Unit, Pune
The objective is to formulate a unified, environmentally sensitive Development Control Regulation (DCR) for HTHS and BDP zones.
Key Responsibilities of the Study Group
The committee will address the following:
- Examine objections and suggestions: Assess all feedback received regarding land use reservations and provide recommendations.
- Review implementation: Analyze why some land reservations have not been implemented and propose corrective measures.
- Evaluate government decisions: Study prior decisions and recommendations made under the government resolution dated February 21, 2024.
- Define permitted development: Recommend permissible developments or acquisition protocols, including the required financial and procedural frameworks.
- Government land action plan: Propose an action plan for conservation measures on lands owned by government and semi-government bodies.
- Private land considerations: Suggest strategies for dealing with legal and illegal developments on privately owned land in these zones.
- Legal compliance: Factor in relevant court and Green Tribunal judgments while drafting the new DCR.
The committee has been given a deadline of one month to complete its work and submit the report to the state government.
