Save Pune: Former MP Vandana Chavan Demands Reconsideration Of Harmful Urban Regulations
Save Pune: Former MP Vandana Chavan Demands Reconsideration Of Harmful Urban Regulations
Samata KukadeÂ
Vandana Chavan, former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and former Mayor of Pune, has raised serious concerns regarding the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) and its impact on Pune. In a letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Chavan highlights potential adverse effects of the increased Floor Space Index (FSI) and the reduction of amenity spaces on the city’s infrastructure and quality of life.
Chavan shared her concerns via her X account, stating, “ADDITIONAL FSI AND REDUCTION OF AMENITY SPACES AS PER THE UDCPR WILL RUIN PUNE. Letter to @mieknathshinde @Dev_Fadnavis @AjitPawarSpeaks”.
In the letter, dated August 5, 2024, Chavan outlines several key issues arising from the UDCPR, implemented on December 2, 2020. These regulations, applicable to all planning authorities except those in Greater Mumbai and a few other regions, have led to significant apprehensions among Pune’s citizens.
Pune: An Overburdened City
Chavan underscores that Pune is already struggling with chaotic, messy, and disorganized growth. The increase in FSI, detailed in an annexure to her letter, threatens to exacerbate these issues, rendering the city unsustainable. She warns that the infrastructure and functionality of Pune will be severely disrupted, affecting the quality of life for its residents.
Need for Comprehensive Studies
Chavan calls for detailed studies and assessments to ensure sustainable development. The increase in FSI, from a basic 1.1 to potentially as high as 9, necessitates thorough evaluations, including population projections, infrastructure capacity studies, and environmental impact assessments. She emphasizes that no such studies appear to have been conducted, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of these changes.
Reduction in Amenity Space
One of the most contentious aspects of the UDCPR is the reduction in amenity space. Previously, developers had to provide amenity spaces based on plot size, with larger plots requiring more space. The new regulations significantly reduce this requirement, which Chavan argues will worsen the already existing deficit in amenity spaces, impacting essential services like schools and hospitals.
Chavan invokes the 74th Amendment to the Indian Constitution, asserting that cities should have the autonomy to create their own development plans, preserving their unique identities. She criticizes the state government’s uniform rules, which she believes undermine sustainable development and the principles of resilient, carbon-neutral cities.
Call for Action
Chavan appeals to the Chief Minister to reconsider the provisions of the UDCPR related to additional FSI and the reduction of amenity spaces. She urges the formation of an expert committee to review these provisions and calls for a temporary halt on the implementation of additional FSI regulations while restoring the original amenity space requirements.
Chavan seeks an urgent meeting with the Chief Minister to discuss these pressing issues, emphasizing the need for immediate action to prevent further degradation of Pune’s urban environment and infrastructure.
