KOLHAPUR: The Malkapur Municipal Council in Satara district has made history as the first C-class urban civic body in the state to issue Transfer Development Right (TDR) certificates for land acquisition intended for public infrastructure. On Sunday, certificates were awarded to six landowners for approximately 19,000 square feet of land.
In Maharashtra, municipal councils are categorized into A, B, or C classes based on their population, revenue, and level of development. A-class councils usually have populations exceeding one lakh, while B-class councils encompass populations ranging from 40,000 to one lakh. C-class councils, like Malkapur, have populations under 40,000, and those below this classification are mainly nagar panchayats.
The certificate distribution event took place on Sunday in Malkapur, attended by local BJP MLA Atul Bhosale. “With this move, Malkapur becomes the first C-class municipal council in Maharashtra to issue TDRs, initiating land acquisition for a Development Plan (DP) road designed to mitigate traffic congestion,” he stated.
TDR, a common practice in larger municipal corporations, enables civic bodies to acquire land for public amenities without direct financial outlay. “These certificates can be sold to builders, allowing them to construct additional floors beyond the standard limits,” an official explained.
“The development plan for Malkapur received approval in 2016. Given the rapid growth along the highway and the town’s proximity to Karad, it is crucial to expedite infrastructure developments. TDR presents an attractive option for landowners due to relatively higher land rates compared to other C-class councils. We are beginning the process with land allocated for DP roads,” said Kapil Jagtap, chief officer of the council.
Malkapur, with a population of around 32,000 as per the 2011 Census, is situated near Karad along the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway. The town is already equipped with 24/7 drinking water supply and 100% water meter coverage.
According to planning experts, Malkapur has substantial potential for TDR utilization as it encourages vertical development. Buildings can rise up to 35 meters or 12 stories, with a base Floor Space Index (FSI) of 1.4. Developers may enhance their buildable area by purchasing TDR from landowners who surrender land for public infrastructure purposes.
