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Hidden Costs of Buying a Plot in Pune: What You Need to KnowMaharashtra to Relax Land Fragmentation Law, Subdivided Plots to be Legalised
The Maharashtra government has announced a major reform in its land policies by relaxing the existing law on land fragmentation. Under the new decision, subdivided land plots created up to January 1, 2025, will be granted legal recognition.
Key Provisions of the Reform
- Regularisation of Small Plots: Subdivided plots measuring up to one guntha (around 1,089 sq ft) will now be considered legal. Owners will be able to secure official ownership, registrations, and building permissions for such properties.
- Impact on Citizens: The move is expected to benefit millions of families across the state who have long faced uncertainty due to the legal status of small, fragmented plots.
- Implementation: A clear standard operating procedure (SOP) will be prepared to streamline layout approvals, road access, registrations, and construction permissions. This is aimed at ensuring transparency and reducing dependency on middlemen.
- Coverage Areas: The reform will apply to urban and semi-urban regions, including municipal areas, councils, nagar panchayats, urban development authority zones, gaothans, and buffer zones extending from 500 meters to up to 2 km outside municipal limits.
Why It Matters
Property owners who own "gunthewari," or unapproved subdivided plots, will benefit from the ruling as they frequently struggle to get building permits and register their properties. Opportunities for more seamless real estate transactions and development projects will arise as a result of regularisation.
Local bodies, including municipal corporations, are also working on introducing digital solutions to speed up processing and reduce delays. However, stakeholders believe the government should also work on lowering associated charges, such as registration fees, penalties, and regularisation costs, to make the process more affordable for ordinary citizens.
Looking Ahead
This reform is a crucial step toward updating Maharashtra's land laws. The state aims to mitigate conflicts, improve property governance, and assist millions of landowners by identifying fragmented plots and establishing a transparent and regular process for their regularisation.
Suhana Khan, daughter of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is reportedly under legal investigation following her purchase of agricultural land in Thal village, Alibaug, Maharashtra. The property was registered under Deja Vu Farm Private Limited, a business connected to Suhana's family, and was purchased in May 2023 for ₹12.91 crore from the Khote family of Mumbai's Cuffe Parade. During the transaction, she paid ₹77.46 lakh in stamp duty.
The dispute arises due to the status of the land: it was initially granted by the Maharashtra government in 1968 to be used for agriculture and had a 'no-sale' term attached to it. State policy dictates that farmers cannot buy agricultural land until they get permission from the District Collector. The authorities have questioned the validity of the transaction, stating that Suhana had been registered as a 'farmer' in the records.
Legal professionals have opined that the sale may be against land transfer rules, and there are demands for more legal action. The news follows Suhana as she gets set to make her Bollywood acting debut in King, sharing the screen with her dad, and adds to her expanding body of brand endorsement deals with firms such as Maybelline and Lux.
The probe is underway, and more information is awaited.
Sources: India Times, Times of India, Samaa TV, Mathrubhumi English
PMRDA Takes Action Against Illegal Plotting in Charholi Khurd Khed Taluka What Homebuyers Should Know
PMRDA- Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority has started a strong action against illegal land plotting in Charholi Khurd, near Pune. This step is mainly to protect common people, especially middle-class families, from buying plots that are not legal.
What is Illegal Plotting?
Illegal plotting means dividing agricultural land into small plots without taking proper government permissions. These plots are sold for housing, but they do not have official approvals, maps, or basic infrastructure. As a result, people who buy such land face problems later—like not getting permission to build, or losing t heir money if the land is taken back by the government.
What Has PMRDA Done?
PMRDA, under the leadership of its Commissioner, has worked with the police to stop such illegal activities. They have taken action against some developers in Charholi Khurd by removing internal roads, boundary walls, and fences built without permission.
Concern for Buyers
This action has worried many people who already bought such plots, thinking everything was legal. Local leaders have asked PMRDA to give these buyers a chance to explain their situation. They also requested that the government think about ways to regularize these plots so that honest buyers don't suffer.
What Should Buyers Do Before Buying Land?
If you are planning to buy land, especially in areas around Pune, keep these tips in mind:
- Check for NA (Non-Agricultural) Permission: Only buy plots that have this permission.
- Approved Layout Map: Ask for the layout plan approved by PMRDA or the local authority.
- Talk to the Authorities: Visit the PMRDA office or municipal office to check if the land is legal.
- Take Legal Help: Always consult a lawyer before making a big investment like buying land.
Buying a home or plot is a big dream for many families. That’s why it’s important to be careful and well-informed. A little effort before buying can save a lot of trouble later.
Source: Pune Mirror
Pune Ring Road Project Seeks Additional ₹1,220 Crore for Land Acquisition
The Pune Ring Road Project, a large infrastructure initiative aimed at decongesting Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, requires an additional ₹1,220 crore to finalise the land acquisition. The 169-kilometre road will provide smooth connectivity with national highways and divert heavy vehicles off city roads to enhance overall traffic flow.
To date, approximately 90% of the required land is in hand, with the western part virtually complete at 97% and the eastern part at 84%. The extra money is deemed critical to provide equitable compensation to landowners and avoid project time slippage.
Once built, the ring road should greatly improve connectivity, shorten travel times, and support the region's expanding infrastructure requirements. To maintain the momentum and see the project finished on time, the requested funds must be released in a timely manner.
Maharashtra Government Approves 70 Acres for IIM Nagpur’s Pune Campus
In a major boost to higher education in Maharashtra, the state government has approved the allocation of 70 acres of grazing land in Moshi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, for the establishment of a satellite campus of IIM Nagpur. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the land transfer process is already underway and will be completed shortly.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed the decision, emphasising the importance of expanding premier educational institutions, such as IIMs, across the country to support national development. The Pune campus will mark a first for IIMs by offering a flagship program in data science and management outside its main campus.
Strategically located near key industrial hubs, including Chakan, Talegaon, Ranjangaon MIDCs, and the Hinjewadi IT Park, the Moshi site offers excellent connectivity and infrastructure. The new campus will replicate IIM Nagpur’s main campus facilities, including an incubation centre and part-time courses designed for working professionals.
IIM Nagpur Director Bhimaraya Metri highlighted that the Pune campus is part of the institute’s broader expansion plans, which also include future campuses in Goa, Hyderabad, and Singapore.
Sources: Times of India
Punekar News
MyPunePulse
The Bridge Chronicle
Maharashtra to Map Subdivided Land Plots in 18 Talukas Under Pilot Project
The Maharashtra Land Records Department has launched a pilot project to measure and map subdivided land plots (sub-holdings) in selected areas of the state.
Over the years, many plots have been informally subdivided, creating mismatches between the 7/12 land ownership document and official cadastral maps. The project aims to record these subdivisions accurately.
A total of 18 talukas across six revenue divisions have been chosen for the initiative, including Pune, Palghar, Raigad, Thane, Solapur, Sangli, Dhule, Jalgaon, Chandrapur, and Kolhapur.
The work will be executed by private agencies, which are currently being finalised through a tendering process.