Pune: PMC Introduces New Construction Approval Policy to Reduce Delays and Boost Transparency
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 7th May 2026: In a significant move to reduce bureaucratic delays and streamline urban development, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram has issued a fresh directive decentralizing the approval process for construction proposals within the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Sources in the civic body also informed that the move will also keep check on the rampant permissions by ‘greasing’ palms of the officials.
The new order, effective immediately, delegates decision-making powers to various engineering levels based on the total area of the proposed projects. The primary objective is to ensure that building permissions are granted more efficiently and with greater transparency.
According to the official document issued by the Commissioner’s office, construction proposals will now be categorized and approved as follows:
Small-Scale Projects: Proposals for properties with a total area of less than 2,000 square meters will now be approved by the Deputy Engineer of the construction department.
Mid-Scale Projects: Layouts and construction permissions for areas ranging between 2,000 and 10,000 square meters will fall under the jurisdiction of the Executive Engineer.
Large-Scale Projects: Projects exceeding 10,000 square meters, or any proposal currently or potentially requiring environmental clearance, must be approved by the Superintending Engineer.
The order further specifies that for mid-scale and large-scale projects, the formal consent letters will be issued under the joint signatures of the Junior Engineer and the Deputy Engineer.
Commenting on the structural reform, Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram stated, “These changes are being implemented to ensure rapid decision-making regarding construction proposals submitted to the department and to bring better coordination and streamlining to our internal work processes.”
