Pune
News:
The Pune Municipal Corporation’s land
acquisition department has created a
record of sorts by acquiring as much
as 6.15 lakh square meter land in one
year (2007-08). This is much more that
the 4.76 lakh square metre of land
acquired by the civic body during the
four-year period (2003-2007) before
that.
In terms of the number of properties
acquired, 159 were acquired in the
four-year period and 421 in 2007-08.
Ironically, the PMC has always been
criticised for slow land acquisition
that resulted in the delayed
implementation of the 1987 Development
Plan (DP). The civic body has,
however, spruced up its act now.
This feat is inspite of the poor
response the civic body got from
private agencies to its request to
help it in land acquisition work. The
PMC had invited bids from private
agencies for large scale acquisition
work.
Speaking to TOI, deputy commissioner
incharge of land acquisition
department K.C. Karkar said that one
or two agencies had come forward but
they did not prove to be very
efficient.
"They were not efficient so we did not
see any point in wasting money on them
and continued with the work through
the department itself. Most of the
work is being carried out by
department itself. Only five junior
engineers have been roped in on a
temporary basis," Karkar said.
Karkar
pointed out that most of the property
owners have opted for Transfer of
Development Rights (TDR) as
compensation instead of cash.
"The exact figures for how much TDR
has been granted is not available as
yet. The process takes some time.
However, property owners’ inclination
is towards seeking TDR and we give
them in writing that TDR will be
granted in due course," Karkar said
adding that although the number of
people seeking cash compensation are
less, the amount spent on land
acquisition is higher this year.
"Rs 50 crore was allocated for land
acquisitions in the 2007-08 budget and
the entire amount was spent. We had to
divert an additional amount of Rs 40
crore," Karkar said.
He attributed the boost in land
acquisition work to the large number
ongoing road projects under Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)
and the projects in view of
Commonwealth Youth Games.
