Changing face of Pune

Imagine independent townships with allu00a0 amenities that also enjoy smoothu00a0road connectivity with the city. That is how Pune metropolitan region is set to look in next 10 yrs ufffd and as developers fall in love with the idea, that's just the tip of the iceberg

The city is all set to undergo a major transformation with as many as six new townships in the making, and six more waiting for approval. This will make the city a hub for special townships in the state, and all this is expected to change the face of the city and its vicinity in 10 years.

The Pune District Collectorate has given the go-ahead for townships in Hinjewadi, Jambhe Village, Sinhagad road, and Maval areas. The six townships, which have got the letter of intent from the Collector's Office, have already sought environmental and location clearance from the state government. The remaining six are being scrutinised by the Collector's Office and are awaiting clearance.

District Collector Chandrakant Dalvi said special townships require a minimum area of 100 acres and these will be treated like independent cities having basic infrastructure such as road, water supply, shopping areas, healthu00a0 and sanitation, and educational facilities.

"These townships cater to the middle and upper-middle class people with compulsory reservations of 10 per cent for the economically weaker sections," he said.

Anil Pawar, resident district collector, said that major groups like DSK Developers and Hiranandani are also coming to the city with proposals for Special Eeconomic Zone.u00a0

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), which is to be established soon, will be about 2,943 sq km. It includes the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations, the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Township Development Authority, Lonavla, Talegaon, Alandi municipal councils and 397 villages. This means the city has a capacity to develop over 20 townships, said Sadhana Naik, deputy director, town planning, Pune region.

"The new special township will automatically reduce the pressure on Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The proposed PMRDA will also develop transport facilities that will connect each township by roads in due course of time.

Under the Metro Planning Committee (MPC), the base map work is in progress," Naik said. "The townships will be given permission to erect buildings up to 60 metres. However, these will have to develop their own fire-fighting equipment."

Prashant Ranpise, chief fire officer, PMC, said the townships would require special permissions as per the national building code for high rise structures above 60m for creating helipad and air-ambulance facility.

"Amenora Park, which will soon have the tallest building of 105 metres will require this permission," he said.

Gajanan Patil, assistant director, MIDC, Pune, said that two more residential areas would be developed soon.

"One is at Khed to be constructed by Bharat Forge and the second is to be developed independently at Hinjewadi."