State govt working on policy for redevelopment of PMC staff quarters: Misal

Pune: Minister Madhuri Misal on Monday said in the Assembly the state government was working on a new policy for the redevelopment of quarters built for the PMC employees.Responding to concerns raised by Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasne, Misal said authorities were facing multiple challenges in addressing the issue and these necessitated a dedicated policy. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) quarters house nearly 4,000 families.MLA Rasne said delays in decision-making had adversely affected the civic employees, particularly sanitation workers. He said most of these quarters were over 60 years old and in a dilapidated condition, forcing residents to deal with poor drainage and irregular water supply."Not a single redevelopment project has been completed after all these years. In my constituency, two colonies underwent structural audits nearly 13 years ago and were declared unsafe. Residents were moved out and accommodated in tin sheds. The new buildings have not been completed after 13 years and people continue to live in those sheds," he said.Rsane said almost all 78 PMC residential buildings across the city were in a poor condition and unsafe for habitation, as highlighted in structural audits. "A slab of one such structure collapsed around six months ago, injuring two people," he said.Misal said the concerns raised by Rasne were valid. "While authorities continue with maintenance of these structures, structural audits have indicated the need for redevelopment," she said, adding that the houses were currently allotted on a rental basis, though many residents were now demanding ownership rights.She also highlighted challenges in executing redevelopment projects, noting that residents were often unwilling to relocate during the process and preferred transit accommodation at the same location. The minister said issues related to Floor Space Index (FSI) also posed hurdles, as each building had a different layout, creating complications for adjoining projects."All these issues need to be addressed. A dedicated policy is being prepared on a war footing," Misal said.Referring to a redevelopment project in Sane Guruji Vasahat, Rasne said around 450 families lived in demolished quarters. He said the new 11-storey building under construction had provision for only 150 units, raising concerns over allotment.Responding to this, Misal said the available houses for 150 families would be allotted through a lottery system.