PMC Seeks Suggestions And Objections On Proposal to Alter Katraj Land Reservation from Playground to Dairy Production

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has called for suggestions and objections regarding a proposal to change the reservation status of a 3.5-hectare land in Katraj from a municipal playground to a site designated for dairy production, ultimately to be handed over to Katraj Dairy.

Published by PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar in various newspapers, the appeal welcomes public feedback until February 3, 2024. The proposal, initially approved by the PMC city improvement committee on December 20, 2023, aims to cancel the playground reservation on the specified plot at survey no 132 (part) and 133 (part), reserving it instead for dairy production under the authority of the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producer Sangh.

The resolution passed by the PMC city improvement committee states that after compiling suggestions and objections, the proposal will be presented to the general body for approval. Subsequently, it will be forwarded to the state government’s urban development department for final approval, facilitating the transfer of the land to Katraj Dairy.

Katraj Dairy, managed by the Pune District Cooperative Milk Producer Sangh, is set to take charge of the land following the alteration in reservation. However, citizens, unaware of the land’s municipal playground reservation, are now advocating to maintain the existing reservation. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Vasant More has initiated a signature campaign opposing the proposed change.

Amidst these concerns, real estate experts estimate the market value of the land behind Katraj Dairy to be approximately ₹ 100 crore. Once the land is officially handed over to Katraj Dairy, potential compensation payments to private landowners are anticipated.

A PMC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that although the land is reserved as a municipal playground, the PMC has not acquired it due to financial constraints. If Katraj Dairy acquires the land with the altered reservation, the state government may require the dairy to compensate private landowners.

The process to change the land reservation in Katraj commenced after Ajit Pawar, the then deputy chief minister, wrote to the PMC in February 2021, initiating the proposed transformation.