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PUNE: Following the state government’s decision to pause the contentious TDR (Transfer of Development Rights) proposal for the Janata Vasahat slum rehabilitation, activists and residents are calling for its complete cancellation. They allege significant irregularities in land classification, inflated valuations, and a transparency deficit that could jeopardize the rights of slum dwellers.
The project, valued at Rs750 crore, involves allocating full TDR, representing 100% of the slum area at 1 Floor Space Index (FSI). However, parts of the Janata Vasahat slum are designated in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)’s Development Plan as being in hilltop, hill slope, and garden reservation zones—areas where large-scale development is either prohibited or heavily restricted. Activists contend that this renders the entire proposal illegal and environmentally unsound.
Concerns have been raised by the state housing department regarding the land valuation. Official Ready Reckoner rates estimate the land at Rs5,720 per sqm, whereas the SRA’s assessment is as high as Rs39,650 per sqm, leading to demands for clarification from the state. This discrepancy could inflate the potential TDR payout from approximately Rs110 crore to Rs750 crore, disproportionately benefiting landowners and developers.
Additionally, the rapid progression of the land acquisition file and engagement with private firms have faced backlash. Activists argue that the authorities fast-tracked the proposal, enabling a larger TDR allocation without sufficient public scrutiny or consultation with the affected slum residents.
A lack of a clear policy framework for slum rehabilitation frequently results in conflicts between development objectives and the rights of marginalized communities. Residents are apprehensive that the high-value TDR allocation might incentivize developers to prioritize profits at the expense of genuine rehabilitation efforts.
Critics point out the process’s lack of transparency, with minimal information being shared with residents facing displacement. Many fear that without a definitive rehabilitation plan, slum dwellers may confront eviction with no adequate alternatives, exacerbating their vulnerability.
Environmental experts have emphasized the necessity of a comprehensive impact assessment prior to any approvals, given the sensitive nature of the hill zone ecosystem. They have also warned of the potential ecological ramifications of construction in hill and garden zones, stating that ignoring protected areas could lead to soil erosion, increased flooding risks, and loss of green cover, thereby affecting the overall urban ecosystem.
Activists have condemned the absence of meaningful public consultations during the planning and approval phases of the project. “Despite the project’s scale, there is no clear plan or timeline for rehabilitating slum residents,” remarked Vijay Kumbhar from Surajya Sangharsh Samiti. “It appears to be a deal benefiting builders while leaving slum dwellers in uncertainty.”
Social activist and BJP leader Ujwal Keskar added, “The SRA is not the appropriate authority for overseeing land acquisition in protected zones; the PMC should have jurisdiction there. The plan disregards the environmental restrictions clearly laid out in the Development Plan.”
This ongoing controversy highlights the urgent need for transparent and equitable urban development policies that safeguard both vulnerable populations and the environment.
The SRA defended its approach, stating that TDR is allocated based on slum density, with higher density areas receiving up to 1.5 FSI. However, they acknowledged receiving multiple memorandums objecting to the proposal and are in the process of collecting the necessary clarifications for the state. Newly appointed SRA CEO Satish Khadke mentioned that the authority has received memorandums opposing the proposal, saying, “The state has given us directives. We will gather the requested information and submit it as soon as possible.”
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