Ravi Karandeekar's Pune Real Estate Market News Blog: Pune news links

Showing posts with label Pune news links. Show all posts

Friday, May 28, 2010

Pune Municipal Corporation to appoint a private agency for collection of property tax

The privatization of property tax collection is expected to fetch an additional revenue of around Rs 100 crore.

Property tax is one of the major sources of income for the municipal corporation.

There are over 6.68 lakh properties in the city, providing a tax revenue of Rs 375 crore to the civic body.

To read more, please, visit Sakaal Times

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Citizens' voice is growing feeble - Radheshyam Jadhv

Public participation that dictates the success of development projects is shrinking in Pune. Unlike the 1990s, civic activism is now restricted to a few non-governmental organisations (NGOs) which again work in a limited way and the people whom these projects affect the most, are mostly missing, say observers.

This, at a time when a people's movement is most wanted, especially since the city has a heap of issues like poor public transport, water supply, lack of infrastructure and other development issues.

http://www.google.com/buzz/103709143036437773510/5gH6shD54P3/Public-participation-that-dictates-the-success-of

Monday, March 15, 2010

ITI Road - from Parihar Chowk, Aundh to Baner Phata, will be ready by year end!

PMC promises to Aundh Vikas Mandal:

The road department's executive engineer Madhav Latkar said the ITI road will be completed in two phases.

The stretch between Parihar Chowk and Ozone Mall will be completed by March 31. In the first phase, the footpath work will begin from Parihar Sweets to Ozone Mall with the width being 2.5 metres.

The work in the second phase will be from Ozone Mall to Baner Phata.

Latkar assured that the land acquisition work is progressing smoothly and the civic body will able to finish this work before December-end.DNA

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The Institute of Urban Designers India (IUDI) launches its Pune regional chapter

"The institute will play the role of a social activist, participating in the planning, policy making and monitoring process of the infrastructure development of the city. We will not only render valuable guidance to local government organisations, but also invite public participation on major issues," KT Ravindran (founder member, president, IUDI).

Members of the newly formed Pune chapter are architects and urban designers, who are actively participating in Pune's development process. "We are available for any consultation on subjects of our specialisation," said member of executive council (IUDI) Kiran Kalamdani, while representing the urban designers of the Pune centre. Read More

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Saturday, March 13, 2010

Pallonji Shapoorji Mistry, of SP Info City Fursungi Pune, is the richest Irish Citizen on the Forbes list

Phantom of Bombay House: Pallonji Mistry, 79, the head of Shapoorji Pallonji, who is sometimes referred to as the Phantom of Bombay House because of his reclusive nature and ownership of the single largest bloc of shares in Tata Sons, has initiated the process through a complex series of mergers and demergers of his investment arms...Read More

The richest Irish citizen is Mr Shapoorji, a 79 year old Indian entrepreneur and construction tycoon, who is placed 129th. Mr. Shapoorji Mistry has moved up in the world rankings from his spot at 261 last year, his net worth having increased from $2.5bn to $5.8bn.

In 2006 he followed his wife and four children in obtaining Irish citizenship. As India does not allow dual citizenship he renounced his Indian citizenship, but is still resident in Mumbai.

Mr Shapoorji Mistry owns an 18.5% stake in Tata Sons and is the largest shareholder in the Tata Group, India's largest private conglomerate. Despite his success in business, he is known for his media shyness and rarely appears in public.

He currently owns a 10,000 sq ft bungalow adjacent to the Osho Commune in Pune, India, known as the world's largest meditation resort.

The Mistrys are said to be passionate about horse racing, and own a 200 acre stud farm, which is also in Pune. It is reported that all the drinking water given to the horses, which total around 100, is filtered through Aqua Guard.

The Mistrys also own air and water purification systems company Eureka Forbes.

To read more, please, visit Irish billionaires up on Forbes rich list - InsideIreland.ie

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Revised Rs 3,000 crore Pune ring road - 90 meter wide and 110 km long!

Pune divisional commissioner Dilip Band has sent a revised proposal for the ring road to the state government in which the length as well as the construction cost are reduced.

The ring road is aimed at decongesting Pune city's traffic by diverting heavy vehicles.

Band said that the ring road should be developed on a township scheme basis. "In this scheme, landowners have to give a fixed proportion of their landholdings to develop the infrastructure, which will be along the lines of the ring road developed in Ahmedabad. The landholder has to give 40 per cent of his land to build the road and will get 60 per cent developed land in return. It is a win-win situation for both the landowner and the government, as the government will not have to spend money on land acquisition in this scheme."

Band further said that he would soon meet chief minister Ashok Chavan who is also in charge of the urban development department (UDD). Band said, "The UDD has yet to decide how to develop the road."

To read more, please,visit The Times of India

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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Pavana-Nigdi pipeline project hits roadblock

Project-Affected Villagers Oppose Land Acquisition:

The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) ambitious pipeline project from Pavana dam to Nigdi has hit a roadblock with several project-effected villagers opposing land acquisition work.

The bhoomipoojan of the 398.3 crore project was done on May 1, 2008, and it was to be completed in two years. A belt of 6.4 kilometre, out of the 36 kilometre pipeline, will pass through municipal limits, at Ravet, Mamurdi and Kiwale villages, of which work on 4.6 kilometre has been completed.

The PCMC had earlier planned to lay the pipeline along the expressway and had sought permission of the state government for the purpose. Land in possession of the state government was also sought as it would have reduced the need for land acquisition from farmers in Maval taluka. Sharma said, “The expressway authorities have conveyed to us that they need the land along the expressway for future development so we will not get that land.”

The PCMC was to get some land from irrigation department near the Pavana dam. Ambadas Chavan, additional city engineer, said, “The land belongs to the irrigation department and we are yet to start work on the pipeline scheme there.”

The water of Pavana river gets polluted on its way from Pavana dam to Ravet as it passes through the towns of Talegaon, Dehu Road and others. The PCMC has to spend a lot of money on purifying this polluted water. As a result, it decided to bring pure water of the Pavana dam to Nigdi through an enclosed pipeline. The Times of India

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PCMC disconnects the water connections of 26 housing societies, after the residents failed to clear their water bills

The water supply department of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has appealed to consumers to pay their dues as soon as possible.

Consumers can pay their water bills at the 14 divisional offices of the property tax department as well as the four zonal offices between 10 am and 4 pm.

The offices are open on all working days and holidays.

To read more, please, visit The Times of India

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Villagers of Urali Devachi and Phursungi give "Final Warning" to Pune Municipal Corporation

Enraged by the recent fire at the garbage dump, the villagers of Urali Devachi and Phursungi on Monday told the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that dumping of trash will not be allowed “at any cost” if it fails to meet the May 2010 deadline.

The villagers, however, allowed the PMC to resume dumping activity, which had been stopped since Tuesday last following a fire at the Urali Devachi garbage depot.

To read more, please, visit The Times of India

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Pune Municipal Corporation gives in to builders, relaxes parking norms

It is evident from the modified parking norms tabled by the civic administration that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has agreed to relax some stringent norms following suggestions from the builders’ and architects’ associations.

The civic administration had invited suggestions and objections to the revised norms from citizens. However, there were just four suggestions that came in — one each from the Architects’, Engineers’ and Surveyors’ Association (AESA), the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA), the Promoters’ and Builders’ Association, Pune (PBAP, now Credai) and another one from corporator Nilesh Nikam.

Modifications have been made in the norms considering the suggestions and objections, which have been tabled before the city improvement committee for approval.

While the civic body had proposed some stringent norms, it has relaxed some of them after considering the suggestions.

For instance, it had initially mooted a parking capacity for two cars in tenements measuring 80 to 150 sq mts. However, Credai suggested that a capacity for one car should be enough, which the PMC has readily accepted in its final draft.

Besides, for tenements in congested areas having a carpet area of 150 sq mt and above, the PMC had proposed a parking capacity for four scooters instead of the existing two. However, Credai and AESA suggested two scooters. This suggestion too was accepted by the civic body.

The civic administration had also proposed a parking capacity of two cars instead of one for two tenements having carpet area up to 40 sq mt. It, however, went back to the one-car capacity on Credai and AESA’s suggestion.

To read more, please, visit The Times of India

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Monday, March 1, 2010

Stop encroachment on water bodies in Pune city, say activists

Activists and citizens have strongly opposed the civic general body's recent move allowing conversion of a water body in Karvenagar into a residential zone.

Already, encroachment on water bodies including nullahs, its tributaries and natural streams is a major cause of concern, since blockages in the out flow of water during monsoon results in widespread flooding in the city.

Speaking to TOI, city engineer Prashant Waghmare said, "The civic administration has in place a comprehensive survey of the natural nullahs and streams in the city. Every ward office has a copy of the survey and we ensure that every building permission is given only after checking the map to assess the status of water bodies."

He said, "Development control rules clearly mention that natural flow of water should not be impeded by any construction. The rules are clear and specific and the PMC is following them strictly."

Two years ago, the PMC's special team had conducted this survey, with help of satellite images, and concluded that the nullahs and its tributaries in the city measure more than 350 km and many of them are being encroached upon. For the survey, the city was divided into 24 parts and surveyors visited all parts of the city to take stock of the situation.

To read more, please, visit The Times of India

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

The PMC can’t run buses; but wants metro rail

Pune Metro: Rs 6000 crore 1st Phase:

Write back to us at Sakaal Times (Editorial), 27 Narveer Tanaji Wadi, Shivajinagar, Pune 411 005, or email us at ourvoice@sakaaltimes.com and let us know what you think

Suddenly the much hyped Pune metro railway seems to be a dubious proposition - primarily due to the unholy haste with which the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has granted approval to the project and is now seeking state and central funding.

The two glaring questions that have arisen are -

can a municipal corporation which cannot run a city bus service efficiently be trusted to manage a highly complex operation like a metro rail network?; and,

is there really a need for a metro railway, especially at a stupendous cost of over Rs 10,000 crores of public money?

The issue here is this - there are several much cheaper options available; options that would be cheaper and easier to operate and maintain than a complex metro rail network. Has the PMC examined these options ? Has it taken an educated and informed decision ? Has it considered the long term implications of creating a metro railway ? Is the PMC eminently qualified to take such decisions in isolation?
To read more, please, visit Amitabh Dasgupata-Sakaal Times

Pune Metro - Is it on the right track?

Why has the Pune Metro project been hurriedly given a green signal? What will be the impact of such a scheme on the economics and infrastructure after it is implemented, wonders Prashant Inamdar while Team Sakaal Times raises other important questions about it

The PMC Standing Committee has approved the Metro proposal in a great hurry. Subsequently, the General Body has also endorsed the decision and forwarded the proposal to the government for approval and fund allocation. Read More

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Friday, February 19, 2010

Corporators join hands to oppose tax hike proposal to be tabled in the general body meeting of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation on Saturday

Opposition parties including the Congress, BJP and Shiv Sena are making appeals to people to make their displeasure known to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporators.

The opposition fears that the NCP, which has a stranglehold over the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) with 70 corporators in a house of 105, would pass the proposal.

Opposition party corporators alleged that the NCP and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar were taking citizens for granted.

They said no tax hike proposal would be passed in the general body meeting on Saturday without any discussion.

It is likely that the tax hike proposal would be passed by the NCP , which would not need the support of opposition parties in passing the bill.

A total of 20 corporators from the Congress, 11 from the BJP and 5 Shiv Sena corporators have announced that they would vote against the tax hike proposal.

Shiv Sena party leader Sulbha Ubale, BJP leader Ashok Sonawane and Congress corporators Machindra Tapkir held a press conference on Wednesday to clear their parties' stand on the issue.

Ubale said, "People are already burdened by the rising prices of essential commodities. At this juncture, it would not be wise to increase taxes.
Instead of burdening the residents of the city with additional taxes, the municipal corporation should spend money prudently."

Ubale said it is the responsibility of residents, social activists, women self-help groups to bring pressure upon the corporators representing their ward and bring pressure on them not vote in support of the hike.

To read more, please, visit Indian Expres

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German Bakery Bomb Blast - Bomb exploded on encroached place

When German Bakery reopens, chances are the seating area outside won’t exist. PMC says the area was encroached upon. This means the owners might get very little compensation

While the wounds of the German Bakery blast are still fresh, there is some news that is both bad and good — depending which side of the fence you choose to stand.

When the bakery is renovated, the premises will have to be shrunk by around 600 sq ft. The reason is simple: the margin of the bakery, which means the entire seating area, was actually an encroachment.

At least that’s what information from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) says. This means, the renovated bakery will have an area of just 250 sq feet.

For most patrons, this means the very spirit and heart of German Bakery will be lost; leaving only the actual bakery.

To read more, please, visit Siddharth Gadkari-Pune Mirror

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Monday, February 1, 2010

About garbage and water problems on Nagar road and Viman-Nagar Development Council

DNA: Your Locality, Your Life: Ritu Goyal Harish:

In today's DNA, Ritu Goyal Harish has written an article covering civic issues of areas coming under Yerawada Ward Office of Pune Municipal Corporation. If you are planning to buy a 2 BHK / 3 BHK Flat in Wadgaon Sheri, Kalyaninagar, Vimannagar, Chandannagar, Ramwadi, Lohegaon or Kharadi on Nagar road, you must read Ritu's article.

Besides covering issues, DNA also talks about resident's initiatives. For example, Ritu's story of VimanNagar Development Council's efforts to develop a garden and now, a cultural hall is simply inspiring.

In fact, everyone who is planning to buy a property, or has already bought one, in Pune real estate market should visit DNA Pune every Monday. DNA has started an initiative "Your Locality, Your Life" which covers civic issue in Pune. For example, last Monday DNA has covered Ghole Road Ward and an inspiring story of Model Colony Lake.

Here is more about "You Locality, Your Life":

Towards creating a better tomorrow
Anand Agashe

DNA’s Your Locality, Your Life initiative intends to walk the distance with you on this path. You have already been voicing your concerns and views on a range of issues through the Speak Up column of this paper for the past two years. Now is the time to go a little beyond, and make a difference through our collective action. The quality of our life and the health of our localities are issues far too important to be entrusted to someone else. Isn’t it because of inaction on our part that we are suffering so badly at the hands of the ‘establishment’? It is time we shed our indifference.

Every Monday, this page will give you a glimpse into the present situation in one neighbourhood of our city. Your neighbourhood too will have its turn. Mind you, these will only be glimpses provided by the DNA team. You will obviously have a lot more to say. Go ahead and share your observations with us. Also tell us what needs to be done on priority to improve the quality of life in your neighbourhood. Even more importantly, let us know how you - as an individual or as a community - would like to contribute in this effort. Let us, together, create a better tomorrow..

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Rs 1.5 crore for Sinhagad Road, Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) to implement a ring road project

Yes, PMRDA! Which is not yet formed!!

The state Finance Ministry on Saturday approved a budgetary allocation of Rs 185 crore for the development of the district. The amount is Rs 68 crore more than what was originally proposed.

The budgetary provision includes Rs 1.5 crore for Sinhagad Road, Rs 16 crore for Indira Awas Yojana, Rs 2.5 crore for promoting cleanliness in rural areas and Rs 12 crore for small irrigation projects.

Ring road

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday held a meeting to discuss development activities, including the possibility of an outer ring road.

The representatives from the city urged for speedy formation of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for the planned development of the city.

Since any civic body cannot incur the expenses for construction of a ring road, it was decided that the project should be implemented by PMRDA.

Three options for raising funds were discussed. These included allowing two floor space index for infrastructure development alongside the road while the second option was funding by PMC, PCMC and the state government. The third option of implementing the project through town planning scheme was in principle agreed upon.

It was also decided that the road construction should be implemented by state public works department. The chief minister has directed the administration to submit a detailed report on execution of the project.

To read more, please, visit Rs 185 cr for Pune district development

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

PCMC citizens protest against the bad condition of the roads at Chapekar junction

Over 100 citizens gathered at Chapekar junction in Chinchwad on Monday afternoon to protest against the bad condition of the roads here.

The angry crowd said on Monday morning, about six people were injured in different accidents at the pothole-ridden junction. Seven roads converge at Chapekar junction, making it one of the busiest roads in Pimpri-Chinchwad.

To read more, please, visit Express India

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PMC picks up power-generation idea of Sumedh Bapat

Last year, after Sumedh Bapat, a city-based entrepreneur, showcased his innovation to create renewable energy through eco-friendly biogas technology at ‘Innovation’, an event organised by Pune chapter of IIT-Bombay Alumni Association (IIT-B AA), the Pune Municipal Corporation will adopt this technology.

Bapat’s biogas technology generates electricity through generator with the use of food waste and the remains can be used as organic fertiliser. This technology saves diesel used for power generation while being eco-friendly. The PMC will use the 32 KW per hour generated through this at its Peshwe Energy Park for ten hours and around 700 tube lights can be lit up with this.

The civic body will also use this technology at its two other cites in Katraj too. Around 9,000 litres of wet waste that will remain at each cite will be used as fertiliser.

To read more, please, visit Indian Express

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Don’t return money to Vyas Construction, activists tell PMC

Civic activists have come out in the open against the Pune Municipal Corporation administration’s proposal in the controversial issue related to the building constructed by Vyas Construction owned by Girish Vyas, son-in-law of former chief minister Manohar Joshi.

"The PMC should not return the money to Vyas Construction. It is improper on the civic body to take such a stand and could lead to many others doing illegal work seeking return of money," said Maj Gen (Retd) SC N Jathar of Nagrik Chetana Manch.

To read more, please, visit Indian Express

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Soon, no property tax for defense personnel

Pune is set to strengthen its tag of a haven for defense personnel with the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) making progress in a move to exempt them from property tax.

The PCMC general body passed a resolution in this regard on December 23 and in September, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had passed such a resolution that is waiting for the final nod.

To read more, please, visit Indian Express

Friday, May 28, 2010

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Monday, March 15, 2010

PMC promises to Aundh Vikas Mandal:

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Saturday, March 13, 2010

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Project-Affected Villagers Oppose Land Acquisition:

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Tuesday, March 2, 2010

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Monday, March 1, 2010

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Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Pune Metro: Rs 6000 crore 1st Phase:

Pune Metro - Is it on the right track?

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Friday, February 19, 2010

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Monday, February 1, 2010

DNA: Your Locality, Your Life: Ritu Goyal Harish:

Towards creating a better tomorrowAnand Agashe

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Yes, PMRDA! Which is not yet formed!!

Ring road

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Tuesday, January 5, 2010

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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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Towards creating a better tomorrow
Anand Agashe