Residents urge CM to halt PMRDA's auction of amenity plots, demand land be used for civic purposes
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Pune: Citizen groups from Hinjewadi–Maan–Marunji region have urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to stop auctioning of 35 public amenity plots in their area by PMRDA.
They said if these plots are auctioned it would deprive over 1.5 lakh residents of essential infrastructure.
In their representation to Fadnavis, who also chairs Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), the Hinjewadi Residents Welfare Association (HRWA) and Hinjewadi Employees and Residents Trust (HERT) have demanded a complete halt to the auction. They have called for an investigation into past allotments, citing possible violation of planning laws.
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"These are not surplus plots — they are needed for setting up water supply system, substations, public gardens, parking, health centres, schools, ITIs, police chowkis etc," said Ravindra Sinha from HRWA.
"If these lands go to private developers, where will such facilities come up?" Dnyanendra Hulsure from HERT said they are hoping that the CM would intervene as chairman of PMRDA and issue necessary orders staying the auction process for these crucial public lands.
"The decision to hand over prime public lands is deeply concerning and detrimental to the welfare of the community,'' said Hulsure.
The groups alleged that PMRDA's auction process has bypassed the participatory planning mandated by Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act and Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines.
These guidelines designate amenity plots as "deemed reservations" meant to serve the public and decided through community consultation.
PMRDA has announced e-auction of 35 plots across Mulshi, Maval, Haveli, and Khed, with a total base value of ₹91 crore. Earnest money deposits for the plots range from ₹84,000 to ₹25 lakh.
PMRDA officials said the process is in line with the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), and some plots are reserved for public libraries and music schools.
"All planning authorities auction amenity spaces to generate revenue, often at rates below the market value. Reservations are marked and the space will be auctioned as per the reservation," a senior PMRDA official said, adding that 32 such plots were auctioned earlier as well.
"This is not just about compliance — it's about priorities. Should essential public land be sold off for commercial use?" said one of the residents. The groups have been writing to various authorities since 2021 to stop auctioning of amenity plots.
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