ULHASNAGAR: In a significant move for the residents of Ulhasnagar, the Maharashtra government has commenced actions to address longstanding obstacles in regularizing encroached properties in the city.
A high-level meeting, led by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule upon request from BJP MLA Kumar Ailani, was convened at Mantralaya to examine the various challenges impeding the enforcement of a special law designed to provide ownership rights to residents of unauthorized properties.
After detailed discussions, it was decided to regularize all unauthorized properties existing prior to January 1, 2011.
The meeting also assessed the challenges citizens face in acquiring ownership documents, despite the presence of a specific legal framework for the city. Issues related to procedural delays, documentation necessities, and inefficiencies that have hampered the regularization process were addressed.
Officials indicated that the proposed regularization will encompass a variety of property types, including chawls, flats, barracks, plots, and structures categorized under U-number, E-number, and Chalta-number classifications.
In a notable shift, residents will no longer need to secure a D Certificate to gain ownership rights. Instead, occupants will be able to regularize their land by paying just 5% of the Ready Reckoner value, a reduction from the previous 10% requirement.
To accelerate implementation, the government plans to establish a dedicated task force that will operate in mission mode to handle pending cases and expedite the issuance of ownership documents.
Ailani stated that once a land sanad (ownership certificate) is issued, property holders will then be able to acquire D Form approvals for their buildings. Additionally, owners of dilapidated structures will be able to seek redevelopment or reconstruction after obtaining necessary statutory permissions.
Post-regularization, beneficiaries will receive Property Cards, providing formal proof of ownership and assisting in resolving numerous longstanding property disputes.
This decision is expected to benefit countless residents who have sought legal acknowledgment of their properties for decades and is considered one of the most impactful strides in addressing Ulhasnagar’s complex land ownership issues.
The meeting was attended by MLA Kumar Ailani, Revenue Department Joint Secretary Manisha Jadhav, Stamp Department Joint Secretary, Konkan Divisional Commissioner Rubal Agarwal, Thane Collector Shrikrishna Panchal, Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner Manisha Awhale, Sub-Divisional Officer Vijayanand Sharma, Town Planner Vikas Birari, Land Survey Officer Rajendra Londhe, alongside other senior officials.
Following the meeting, Ailani expressed that the state government had positively responded to citizens’ requests and was optimistic that a formal notification to implement these decisions would be issued shortly.
