Pune MLA Urges Immediate Approval for Development Plan in Lohegaon and Surrounding Villages
A Pune MLA has called for the immediate approval of the long-pending development plan for Lohegaon and other recently merged villages, as delays have halted key urban services and infrastructure projects.
PuneDevelopment PlanLohegaonUrban InfrastructureReal EstateReal Estate PuneJul 03, 2025
The merged villages, which came under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) following an administrative expansion, continue to face ambiguity in development control norms and project implementation due to the absence of a formal development plan. Officials said that the draft plan had already been prepared by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), which was the planning body for the area prior to the merger. However, it is still awaiting the final approval from the state government. This policy vacuum has created a governance deadlock, with no clarity on land use zoning, floor space index (FSI) applicability, or permissible construction activities. As a result, citizens in Lohegaon and adjoining areas such as Wagholi, Shivane, Uruli Devachi, and others have been left in a state of prolonged limbo. Housing projects remain stalled, and private landowners are unable to develop their properties, while the local authorities are unable to push forward with critical public works.
Urban development experts warn that continued delay in the DP approval will only deepen the infrastructure deficit in these rapidly urbanizing belts. “Merged areas like Lohegaon are facing dual disadvantages — they lack both the rural panchayat support they once had and the urban infrastructure they were promised. This no-man’s-land situation is hindering orderly development and raising tensions among residents,” said a senior urban planner involved with regional land use assessments. The legislator raising the concern pointed out that without formal sanction of the development plan, even routine projects such as the laying of water pipelines, road widening, stormwater drainage, and the construction of schools or public health centers cannot proceed. Several proposals have reportedly been held up in municipal offices due to a lack of clear guidelines, resulting in frustration among citizens and elected representatives alike.
In recent years, Lohegaon and surrounding areas have experienced a population boom, largely driven by their proximity to Pune’s IT corridors and airport, coupled with relatively lower land prices. However, this demographic growth has not been matched by a proportional investment in infrastructure. Many localities continue to grapple with irregular water supply, traffic bottlenecks, insufficient public transportation, and unpaved roads. PMC officials confirmed that while some interim measures have been taken for basic maintenance, there is little scope for long-term investment or execution until the development plan receives a formal nod. A senior PMC official noted, “We are operating in a regulatory grey zone. Without a sanctioned plan, we can neither issue permissions for private construction nor proceed with tenders for large-scale civic projects.”
The state’s urban development department had earlier assured that the transition of planning authority from PMRDA to PMC would be accompanied by swift approvals, but the process has now stretched beyond expected timelines. Stakeholders have raised concerns that delays in the decision-making pipeline could result in unregulated construction and illegal layouts in the absence of proper checks and balances. Further complicating the matter is the fact that funding for central and state government schemes — such as AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) and PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) — depends on the presence of a formally approved development plan. Without it, local bodies are unable to access dedicated grants meant for water supply augmentation, sewage networks, affordable housing, and other urban services.
Environmental activists have also expressed alarm over unplanned growth in ecologically sensitive areas near Lohegaon. In the absence of demarcated green zones, hilltop-hill slope regulations, or designated open spaces, the area is increasingly vulnerable to unregulated construction that may put stress on its natural drainage and biodiversity. Planning professionals say that the state needs to take swift corrective action by expediting the clearance process, possibly through a special committee empowered to review and approve legacy plans from PMRDA. “The delay in approving the DP is not just a technical issue; it is stalling the growth potential of one of Pune’s most dynamic peri-urban belts. The longer this persists, the more difficult it will be to retrofit infrastructure later,” said a town planning expert with experience in metropolitan governance.
The housing industry, too, is bearing the brunt of the impasse. Real estate developers, who had launched projects based on projected approvals post-merger, are now facing buyer resistance due to lack of clearances and rising compliance costs. Industry bodies have urged the government to publish an interim zoning map or a provisional development guideline to unlock stalled investments. The call to action raised during the state assembly is now expected to put pressure on urban development officials to address the deadlock. Citizens’ groups from Lohegaon and nearby areas have also stepped up their campaigns, holding public meetings and filing representations with the municipal authorities, demanding transparency in timelines and accountability in execution.
As Pune expands its municipal footprint, the Lohegaon case stands as a cautionary tale of what happens when planning policy fails to keep pace with administrative restructuring. Without immediate attention, the promise of inclusive urban growth may remain out of reach for thousands living in these transitional zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the development plan for Lohegaon and surrounding villages?
The development plan for Lohegaon and surrounding villages is still awaiting final approval from the state government, despite the draft being prepared by the PMRDA.
How are residents in Lohegaon and other merged areas affected by the delay in the development plan?
Residents are facing disruptions in access to essential amenities such as roads, water supply, drainage, and other public utilities due to the lack of a formal development plan.
What are the concerns raised by urban development experts?
Experts warn that the delay in the development plan approval is deepening the infrastructure deficit and hindering orderly development in these rapidly urbanizing areas.
How is the housing industry impacted by the delay in the development plan?
Real estate developers are facing buyer resistance and rising compliance costs as projects remain stalled due to the lack of clearances and a formal development plan.
What measures are being taken to address the deadlock?
Citizens’ groups and industry bodies are urging the government to publish an interim zoning map or provisional guidelines to unlock stalled investments and address the governance deadlock.
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