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What is RERA & How It Protects Land Buyers?Maharashtra Tables Bill to Remove Non-Farm Use Certificate Requirement for Conversion of Agricultural Land
The Maharashtra government has made a substantial step toward streamlining land-use procedures. During the winter session, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule presented the long-standing requirement of a non-farm use certificate called Sanad to the Legislative Assembly.
What Is Being Changed?
Until now, landowners in the state seeking to convert agricultural land into non-agricultural use had to navigate a multi-layered approval process. Even after securing the necessary non-agricultural (NA) permission, they still needed to obtain a Sanad — a legal certificate issued by revenue authorities — before legally developing or selling the land. This added layer often resulted in delays, higher costs, and bureaucratic hassles for ordinary landowners.
Under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025, the requirement to obtain this Sanad will be completely eliminated. Instead, landowners will be required to pay a one-time nominal premium based on the Ready Reckoner rate to regularise the change in land use. The new structure is as follows:
- Up to 1,000 sq. metres: 0.1% of the Ready Reckoner value
- 1,001 to 4,000 sq. metres: 0.25% of the Ready Reckoner value
- Above 4,001 sq. metres: 0.5% of Ready Reckoner value
This premium replaces the need for the Sanad, making the process simpler and more predictable for landowners.
Why This Matters
For decades, the Sanad certificate was seen as a bureaucratic bottleneck that slowed down land conversion and deterred investment and development. Even after earlier reforms between 2014 and 2018 relaxed the NA permission requirement, the Sanad remained a hurdle. The new amendment aims to eliminate that final administrative barrier.
Benefits for Citizens and Landowners
The reform is expected to have several practical benefits:
- Faster Approvals: Land use change will be processed more quickly without the need for a separate Sanad certificate.
- Reduced Costs: With a predictable premium based on Ready Reckoner rates, landowners can better plan their finances without multiple fees.
- Encourages Development: Simplified rules are likely to encourage more residential and commercial development, particularly in peri-urban and rural areas.
- Ease of Doing Business: By cutting red tape, Maharashtra is aligning its land administration with broader national goals of improving the business environment.
Government Assurances
The state government has clarified that the removal of the Sanad requirement will not impact the revenue of local self-governing bodies — such as municipal corporations and panchayats — which will continue to receive their share of taxes and fees as before.
What Happens Next?
The bill has been tabled in the Assembly and must be passed by both houses of the state legislature and receive the Governor’s assent before becoming law. If enacted, it would mark one of the most significant simplifications of land conversion procedures in the state in recent years.
Maharashtra to Rope in Private Agencies for Faster Land Measurement
The Maharashtra government is getting ready to assign private, licensed organisations to help with land measurement prior to registration to speed up real estate transactions. Growing backlogs at taluka-level land records offices are anticipated to be addressed by this initiative, which is based on procedures already in place in other states.
Why the Move?
Currently, land measurement often takes over ten days, creating bottlenecks for citizens looking to register sale deeds. By involving trained private surveyors, the state aims to ease this pressure while keeping final validation and record entry under the official land records department.
How It Will Work
Private agencies will carry out measurements as per government guidelines.
Their reports will be submitted to the department for validation before being recorded in the official system.
The pilot phase is planned for Pune, Nashik, and Thane, followed by statewide expansion.
To strengthen the process, the government also plans to purchase 1,232 modern surveying instruments worth ₹220 crore.
A Larger Modernisation Drive
This action is consistent with the ongoing land governance reforms in Maharashtra. To address decades-old disparities in survey records, a statewide land measurement campaign is already in progress. The drive includes:
By September 30, 2025, village locations throughout the state will be mapped.
utilising cutting-edge technology like rovers, drones, and GIS.
For affordability, survey fees will be lowered to ₹200 per plot.
Within two years, a "survey before registry" requirement ought to be put into place to ensure accuracy and avoid disagreements.
Anticipated Advantages
- Faster Process: When it comes to sale deed registrations, citizens can anticipate shorter wait times.
- Transparency: The government retains ultimate authority, guaranteeing the accuracy of records.
- Decreased Disputes: Inconsistencies in boundaries will be addressed by modern mapping.
- Efficiency Boost: Technology-led surveying will support scalability for future needs.
NeoLiv Acquires 17.5 Acre Land Parcel in Khopoli for Premium Plotted Development
NeoLiv, the fund-led residential development platform, has made a significant advancement in its expansion by acquiring a 17.5-acre plot of land in Khopoli, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). With a planned value of ₹150 crore, the project is a high-end plotted development that will provide buyers with a combination of contemporary living and natural surroundings.
A Strategic Location Advantage
The project, which is located in the Panvel–Khalapur–Khopoli corridor, benefits from strong connectivity and robust infrastructure growth. Khopoli is set to become a bustling residential centre thanks to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link (Atal Setu). The site is a promising option for both investors and homebuyers because of its close proximity to Imagicaa Theme Park, which enhances its lifestyle and recreational appeal.
Project Highlights
NeoLiv’s Khopoli development will span 0.36 million square feet (gross saleable area) and include a curated mix of residential plots, villas, and modern lifestyle amenities. A world-class clubhouse and expansive green landscapes are envisioned to create a community that resonates with today’s demand for open, sustainable, and aspirational living.
Backed by Expertise and Trust
NeoLiv, founded by Mohit Malhotra, former CEO of Godrej Properties, operates on a fund-led model supported by institutional investors and UHNIs through SEBI-registered AIFs. The developer has already delivered strong results with its earlier projects—Kundli-Sonipat Grand Park, which sold out 263 plots worth over ₹300 crore, and a luxury housing venture in Alibaug with an estimated ₹400 crore sales potential.
New Mahabaleshwar: A Rare Land Opportunity in a Growing Hill Station
The New Mahabaleshwar Hill Station Project is one of Maharashtra’s most exciting initiatives to develop tourism and boost the local economy. Spread across 235 villages in Satara, Jaoli, Patan, and Mahabaleshwar, this area lies in the ecologically rich Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The region is famous for its green forests, waterfalls, hills, and valleys, making it a top choice for leisure, adventure, and religious tourism.
The Maharashtra government is taking major steps to develop New Mahabaleshwar, including building roads, electricity, water supply, and public amenities. Plans also include housing, commercial areas, gardens, recreational zones, and institutional facilities, ensuring a well-planned, sustainable growth of the region. With the government promoting tourism through public-private partnerships, this area is set to see rapid development and high-value appreciation in the coming years.
Why Investing Here Makes Sense
- High Future Appreciation: Over time, land and property values will rise due to government-supported infrastructure and tourism initiatives.
- The Prime Location: It is appealing for vacation homes and resorts because it is close to major highways and has good access to urban centres.
- Eco-Friendly Development: Long-term value is added by balanced development, which guarantees the preservation of biodiversity and natural beauty.
- Various Investment Options: Land can be turned into vacation residences, resorts, or resale plots.
Investing in plots in this area today can be a rare opportunity for buyers to secure land in a promising and growing hill station before the region reaches its full potential.
Seize the opportunity now — New Mahabaleshwar is set to become one of Maharashtra’s most sought-after destinations for tourism and investment.
The Purandar International Airport project has been revised with land acquisition reduced from 7,000 acres to 3,000 acres. Farmers willing to give land can submit consent letters from August 25 within a 21-day window. In addition to receiving four times the market value in compensation, they will also get 10% of the land that was turned over back as developed plots in the future Aerocity. The airport's passenger and cargo facilities will remain part of this scaled-down plan, and the land acquisition process should be finished in the next six to eight months.
Key Takeaways:
Land acquisition cut by more than 50%, from 7,000 to 3,000 acres
Farmers can submit consent within a 21-day window starting August 25
Compensation includes 4x market value + 10% land returned as developed plots
The revised plan still supports passenger and cargo operations.
Land acquisition expected to be completed in 6–8 months
Source: Punekar News
District Collector of Pune has ordered expedited land acquisition for important road projects
Officials have been instructed by Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi to expedite the acquisition of land for several significant road and infrastructure projects in the district. To guarantee efficient and timely project execution, the Collector presided over a review meeting where the decision was made.
Projects Identified for Fast-Track Acquisition
National Highways
NH‑60: Bhimashankar – Talegharwadi – Rajgurunagar
NH‑61: Bankar Phata – Junnar – Ghodegaon – Taleghar
NH‑761 widening: Belhe – Alkuti, Nighoje – Ralegaon – Therpal
NH‑548D widening: Belhe – Alkuti – Nighoje – Ralegaon – Therpal
Mahad – Pandharpur Road
Bhor – Varandha Ghat stretch
Nashik Phata – Khed Elevated Corridor
Urban Development and PMRDA Projects
Pune Inner Ring Road
Chakan Outer Bypass to reduce traffic congestion
15-metre service road in use
12-metre service roads flanking Navale Bridge, Narhe
Industrial and MIDC Areas
Chakan Phase 5
Connecting roads in Talegaon Industrial Areas (Phases 2, 4 & 5)
Vehangav Industrial Area
Proposed Bhor – Utroli – Vadgaon Dal Industrial Belt
Kurkumbh (Patas) Industrial Area
Power Transmission Projects
765 kV Shikrapur–Babhaleshwar–Pune–Shirur line
Babhaleshwar–Kadus–Junnar–Ambegaon line
Actions and Guidance for Execution
Collector Dudi gave clear instructions to guarantee prompt and open execution:
Finish any outstanding land surveys as soon as possible, with police support if needed.
Obtaining farmer consent should come first when acquiring land in a transparent manner.
To speed up procedures, assist landowners in negotiations by utilising Transferable Development Rights (TDR).
Address departmental bottlenecks immediately to maintain project schedules.
Source- Pune Pulse