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Understanding Vahivat (Vahiwat) in Indian Land RecordsPCMC to Publish Red-Zone Map Around Defence Establishments — Relief for 4,000 Property Owners Soon
The PCMC is set to release an official “red-zone” map next week, which will clearly demarcate areas around two sensitive defence establishments — the Ordnance Factory Dehu Road (ammunition depot) and the Dighi Magazine Depot — where construction and development will be prohibited under the Works of Defence Act, 1903.
What is the Red Zone and Why It Matters
Under the proposed plan:
- A 2,000-yard radius around the Dehu Road ordnance depot.
- A 1,200-yard radius around the Dighi Magazine Depot.
Inside these zones, construction and new development will be prohibited — a regulation meant to uphold security and safety around defence assets.
Who Will Be Affected
The red-zone designation is expected to directly impact around 4,000 properties — both residential and commercial — that currently fall within the buffer zones of these depots.
Localities likely to be affected include (but are not limited to) Talawade, Nigdi, Ravet, Chikhali, Dighi, Bhosari, Yamuna Nagar, Rupi Nagar, Vadmukhwadi, and Bopkhel, among others.
For many residents and property owners, the new map brings long-awaited clarity. With unclear boundaries until now, there has been persistent confusion and concern over legal construction permissions.
Why the Map Was Needed
The process to draw accurate red-zone boundaries began after the state’s land-records department conducted a survey, employing satellite imagery to map the zones. The exercise was completed recently, and PCMC has spent over ₹1.13 crore for land measurement and mapping for the Dehu Road and Dighi areas.
The updated map was submitted to PCMC on 31 July 2025, according to civic-body officials.
However, publication has been delayed because the map must first be vetted by the defence authorities to ensure that no sensitive installations are exposed publicly.
What This Means for Residents and Property Owners
Once released, the map will:
- Clearly inform which properties lie inside the red zone (where construction is prohibited) and which lie outside (eligible for development).
- Provide long-awaited clarity for home-buyers, developers, and existing residents — helping avoid legal disputes over building permissions.
- Help civic authorities regulate illegal or unauthorised constructions that have proliferated over the decades due to boundary ambiguity.
An official from PCMC’s Town Planning Department, Kishor Gokhale, stated that the map has already been shared with defence authorities and they expect to receive a response within “the next four to five days,” after which the map will be made public.
Source- TOI
CM Devendra Fadnavis suspends the ₹750-crore TDR proposal for Janata Vasahat Land in Pune and orders an investigation.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered an inquiry and suspended the ₹750-crore Transferable Development Rights (TDR) proposal concerning Janata Vasahat land in Pune.
The move follows a complaint by Minister of State Madhuri Misal, pointing out major irregularities in the SRA compensation process. Fadnavis has directed the Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing Department to conduct a probe into the matter in detail.
The SRA had proposed a one-time TDR to a private developer for more than 40 acres of land in exchange for the Janata Vasahat slum. However, there were discrepancies in the valuation: while the proposal estimated the land value at ₹750 crore, its official reassessment pegged it around ₹109 crore.
Officials said that the authorities misused the earlier land records and ready reckoner rates in making the inflated compensation calculation. The court has stayed all the proceedings with regard to the proposal pending an inquiry.
Madhuri Misal, confirming the decision of the Chief Minister, said the action would ensure transparency in the redevelopment process for Janata Vasahat and safeguard public resources.
Maharashtra Govt Rejects Lease Renewal of Jeejeebhoy Trust Land in Mumbai
The Jeejeebhoy Trust's land lease for two plots in the Mazgaon neighbourhood of Mumbai has not been renewed by the Maharashtra government. The state revenue department made the decision in response to anomalies in the lease renewal payment procedure.
According to officials, the trust held leasehold rights over two government-owned plots — one measuring about 725.76 square metres and another approximately 9,154.10 square metres. The renewal payment was allegedly made into government accounts by Ekya Realty Pvt Ltd, a private company, instead of the trust.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule ordered that the amount deposited irregularly by the trust or the developer be refunded immediately. He stated that if the trust submits a fresh lease renewal application, it will be reviewed as per government policy.
Earlier, a government resolution dated September 24, 2025, had allowed for the refund and permitted renewal, and the refund process is already underway.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sachin Ahir raised the issue, alleging that certain business entities were attempting to acquire the government land under the pretext of the trust. He demanded that the state take possession of the properties, auction them, and decide on their future development.
Zepto's "10-Minute Land" Offer: A Blend of Real Estate and Fast Commerce
India’s quick-commerce pioneer Zepto has taken its “10-minute delivery” model far beyond groceries — into real estate. The company recently announced a partnership with The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) to allow users to browse and book plots of land via the Zepto app, promising the entire process can be completed in about ten minutes.
This campaign, launched around Janmashtami, marks a bold step in redefining how fast high-value purchases can happen in India’s digital ecosystem.
How Does the “10-Minute Land” Model Work?
The process is designed to mimic Zepto’s signature delivery experience — but for land:
- Users open the Zepto app and search for “land.”
- Listings from HoABL projects appear, showing plot locations and pricing.
- Interested buyers can reserve their chosen land by paying a token amount online.
Within minutes, confirmation and documentation follow through secure digital channels.
While this doesn’t mean the entire property transaction is completed in ten minutes, the initial booking and reservation process is now lightning-fast — a symbolic nod to Zepto’s identity.
Why Is Zepto Entering Real Estate?
- Brand Expansion Beyond Groceries: Zepto wants to stand out in the rapidly changing quick-commerce market by focusing on high-value, experience-driven industries.
- Appeal to Millennial Investors: Younger consumers are more receptive to digital-first investments, including real estate, because they are accustomed to instant gratification.
- Marketing Innovation: The “10-minute land” tagline has generated massive buzz, aligning Zepto with speed, innovation, and convenience in every sphere.
The Challenge of Fast-Tracking Real Estate
Buying land isn’t as simple as ordering groceries — and that’s where the complexity lies.
- Regulatory obstacles:Title checks, verification, and documentation are necessary for real estate transactions and cannot be omitted.
- Risks to transparency:Traditional procedures are still required for the legal completion process, even though Zepto's platform may manage discovery and token payments.
- Scalability issues: At the moment, this service is only available for a few HoABL projects in areas like Vrindavan and Neral; the viability of extending to additional cities will rely on regulatory considerations.
Mahindra Lifespace Acquires 13.46-Acre Land Parcel in Pune for ₹3,500 Crore Housing Project
In order to build a massive residential project with an estimated GDV gross development value of ₹3,500 crore, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd., the real estate and infrastructure development division of the Mahindra Group, has acquired a 13.46-acre plot of land in Pune.
The new land is located in Nande–Mahalunge, one of Pune’s most promising growth corridors connecting Hinjewadi, Baner, and Balewadi. The acquisition reinforces Mahindra Lifespace’s focus on expanding its footprint in high-demand urban micro-markets with strong infrastructure potential.
A Strategic Location in Pune’s Western Corridor
The Nande–Mahalunge area has rapidly emerged as a real-estate hotspot in recent years, thanks to its proximity to key employment hubs such as Hinjewadi IT Park, Baner, and Balewadi High Street. It is also part of the PMRDA Town Planning Scheme, which will further enhance road networks and civic infrastructure.
Mahindra Lifespace’s new project will benefit from these infrastructural developments, offering easy access to the Mumbai–Bengaluru Expressway, Pune Metro, and proposed ring road connectivity, making it a well-connected and desirable address for future homebuyers.
₹3,500 Crore Project with Premium Residential Focus
Industry estimates suggest the development could include a mix of 2, 3 and 4 BHK configurations, following Mahindra Lifespace’s consistent approach of integrating sustainability, open spaces, and green architecture in all its projects.
A GDV of ₹3,500 crore places this among the company’s largest projects in western India, signalling strong confidence in Pune’s luxury housing demand.
The soon-to-be-completed joint survey work of the proposed Purandar Greenfield International Airport near Pune is a significant milestone toward the completion of the much-awaited project.
The government of Maharashtra wants to finish land acquisition by the end of this year, and construction tenders are likely to be invited in the first quarter of 2026. The airport is expected to be about 40 km away from Pune city and will have two parallel runways, each measuring 4,000 x 60 meters, and will be able to accommodate 75 million passengers annually. Once up and running, it is anticipated that it will cater to Pune along with western and central Maharashtra, greatly enhancing regional connectivity and economic development.
The concurrent measurement process spans seven villages reserved for the airport area: Kumbharvalan, Pargaon Memane, Khanwadi, Ekhatpur, Rajewadi, Munjwadi, and Udachiwadi. MADC officials and the district administration have been observing the process carefully in order to maintain transparency and coordination with the local villagers.
The government has noted that the compensation and rehabilitation process would be done in a fair and transparent manner to address farmers' concerns as well as ensure hassle-free implementation of the project.