Maharashtra: New lease of life for unused government land

CM Devendra Fadnavis’s office said the plots will be allotted based on current tenure rights of eligible landowners. PIC/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

The state government plans better use of government land parcels that are unsuitable for independent construction. The policy will apply to Mumbai and other municipal corporations and municipal council areas. On Tuesday, the state cabinet discussed the policy for narrow and landlocked government land parcels that are not suitable for independent construction. Once the policy comes into effect, neglected government land parcels will come into formal use as property owners adjacent to the plots will get a chance to legally acquire them.

"The plots will be allotted to adjoining landholders based on their current tenure right," the statement issued by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's office (CMO) mentioned. If there is only one adjoining landholder, the allotment of land will depend on their existing tenure rights. For leaseholders, the land will be given on similar lease terms. In case multiple land owners come forward with interest in the adjacent plot, then written consent from all will be required to allot the land to a single party.

The process will be implemented under 37A of the Maharashtra land revenue (disposal of government land) rules. In Mumbai, approval from the district collector will be required. Further, according to the approved decision, the additional plot must not exceed 10 per cent of the area of the adjoining property and its FSI (Floor Space Index) should not have been used elsewhere. "The decision is expected to reduce legal disputes and unlock underutilised government land for planned urban growth," the CMO statement said. The policy to streamline unutilised land parcels was proposed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekar Bawankule.

Other key decisions taken by the state cabinet

Startup and innovation policy: The policy aims to nurture 1.25 lakh entrepreneurs, establish 50,000 startups over five years, and boost employment and innovation with special focus on women and youth-led ventures. Instructions have been given to all departments to earmark 0.5 per cent of their budgets for innovation, with the Maharashtra State Innovation Society overseeing implementation.

Vadhavan-Samruddhi link: A proposal to have a new 104.9 km long expressway connecting Vadhavan Port in Palghar to the Samruddhi Expressway at Bharvir in Nashik was given the go-ahead. The new link, expected to reduce travel distance and time, aims at providing quick inland access for international cargo, and would benefit farmers in Palghar and Nashik areas.