Hey Pune peeps, big news coming your way! The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has decided to scrap the requirement for developers to submit affidavits ensuring water supply for new housing projects. Cue the collective gasp from residents worried about worsening water shortages in the metropolitan area.
In a circular issued by PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase, the authority announced the cancellation of the previous order, which had been in place since August 2023. This means that developers in certain areas no longer have to provide assurances for water supply, shifting the responsibility to the local civic bodies as per the Urban Development Department’s guidelines.
But hold up, citizen advocacy groups aren’t happy about this move. They believe that the water affidavits were essential for monitoring and ensuring adequate water provision. Lawyer Satya Muley, a vocal advocate for water management in Pune, slammed the decision, warning that it could lead to unchecked urban expansion without accountability for essential services like water supply.
In fact, Muley hinted that legal action might be on the horizon, with NGOs in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad considering issuing legal notices to the local authorities. They’re not messing around when it comes to water management, folks.
A senior PMRDA official defended the decision, citing misleading affidavits from developers as the reason behind the change in policy. According to the official, local authorities are now responsible for providing water in certain areas, and if they’ve committed to it, developers don’t need to submit separate affidavits.
With approximately 814 villages under its purview, the PMRDA is passing the baton to the local municipal corporations for water supply management. Developers seeking occupancy certificates based on previous water supply assurances will now be guided by the executive committee, with the engineering department tasked with drafting water supply plans.
But the big question remains – what does this mean for the future of urban planning and water management in Pune? Advocates are calling for a balanced approach that ensures both development and sustainable resource management. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
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