Pune: PMRDA Commissioner Decentralises Building Permissions For Faster Approvals And Improved Efficiency

In a move aimed at streamlining operations and addressing citizen grievances more efficiently, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) Commissioner Yogesh Mhase announced the decentralisation of building permission processes. The initiative, unveiled during a seminar under the state government’s 100-day seven-point action plan, aims to save citizens’ time while ensuring smoother workflows across the department.

Under the new framework, responsibilities for granting building permissions have been delegated to various levels within the department based on project size:

• Assistant Metropolitan Planners: Permissions for projects up to 1,000 square metres.
• Deputy Metropolitan Planners: Projects between 1,001 and 2,000 square metres.
• Joint Metropolitan Planners: Projects ranging from 2,001 to 4,000 square metres.
• Director of Development Permissions and Town Planning: Projects between 4,001 and 10,000 square metres.
• Additional Commissioners: Projects up to 20,000 square metres.
• Commissioner: Permissions for projects exceeding 20,000 square metres.

This decentralisation is designed to reduce bottlenecks and ensure faster approvals at appropriate levels.

Addressing Citizen Concerns

During the seminar, citizens raised challenges they face in accessing officials and resolving grievances. In response, Mhase introduced fixed interaction times for citizens:

• Assistant Town Planners: Available daily from 2 PM to 4 PM.
• Commissioner: Available on Mondays and Thursdays to personally address grievances.

Citizens are also encouraged to report issues directly to senior officials, including the Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, or Director of Development Permissions, for prompt resolutions.

Upcoming Digital Enhancements

To improve transparency and accessibility, an upgraded PMRDA website is set to launch within 15 days. The new platform will provide critical updates, office circulars, and citizen-centric decisions, ensuring easier access to information.

Ongoing and Proposed Projects

Mhase highlighted several key initiatives under the PMRDA’s jurisdiction, including:

• Establishing 11 fire stations across the district to handle emergencies.
• Setting up taluka-level offices and four regional offices to bring services closer to citizens.
• Implementing a river pollution control project to protect the environment.

To address concerns about uneven workloads within the department, Mhase announced measures to allocate tasks fairly based on their nature and scope, ensuring efficient operations and better service delivery.

Commissioner Mhase reiterated the PMRDA’s focus on creating a transparent, efficient, and citizen-friendly environment. The decentralisation plan and other measures aim to accelerate development and enhance service delivery across the Pune Metropolitan Region.