Pune's Cluster Redevelopment of Old Wadas Stalled for Eight Years
Pune's cluster redevelopment initiative, proposed eight years ago, has seen minimal progress. The project aims to redevelop old wadas and deteriorating buildings, but faces significant hurdles including legal disputes and lack of owner consent.
PuneCluster RedevelopmentOld WadasInfrastructureLegal DisputesReal Estate PuneOct 27, 2025
The issue has resurfaced following opposition from residents of Lokmanyanagar, a locality comprising 52 housing societies and over 800 flats. Many of these buildings, constructed in the 1960s, are now grappling with ageing infrastructure—cracked walls, erratic water supply, and poor drainage systems being common concerns.
Kasba Peth MLA Hemant Rasane commented, 'Many properties are suffering because of poor response to cluster development. The options like compulsory acquisition should be explored if the property is entangled in legal battles or kept unattended for years. The minimum requirement of the plot size should be around 1000sqm.'
Peth area resident Abhay Joshi said many residents living in the dilapidated buildings, particularly tenants, belong to economically weaker sections. 'Some are unable to afford rental housing elsewhere. Policymakers must take proactive steps to accelerate the reconstruction of the ageing properties,' he added.
PMC's building permission department's senior official Amol Bahadkar said they have conducted public awareness campaigns highlighting the benefits of cluster development for congested localities. 'However, no formal proposals have been submitted to PMC so far. Instead, owners of smaller properties are seeking individual building permissions,' he added.
Civic officials acknowledged the difficulty in consolidating multiple wadas under a single redevelopment plan. 'It's challenging to secure consent from all owners and tenants, and many properties are entangled in legal disputes. Pooling land by demolishing several wadas in the same vicinity, central to the cluster development policy, is proving to be a tough task,' said another official.
The cluster development policy outlined in the development plan (DP) was intended as a solution to address ageing infrastructure in older localities. It offered several redevelopment incentives, such as an additional 4 FSI (floor space index), relaxed side and front margin requirements, special FSI provisions for free tenant rehabilitation, reduced road width norms for redevelopment, and a unique cluster transfer of development rights (TDR).
None of these benefits, however, could be implemented because of the absence of a formal and actionable cluster development policy. PMC officials said even meeting the basic criteria, such as the minimum land requirement for cluster redevelopment, was a major hurdle.
A minimum of 4,000sqm (approximately 1 acre) was needed to initiate redevelopment of wadas under the cluster model. But, acquiring such a large contiguous land parcel was extremely difficult in the densely populated Peth areas, where most of the eligible properties were located.
PMC is promoting cluster redevelopment under the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR). But disagreements between tenants and owners continue to pose significant hurdles. 'We are working to raise awareness and build consensus around the initiative,' said a PMC official.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cluster redevelopment initiative in Pune?
The cluster redevelopment initiative in Pune is a project aimed at redeveloping old wadas and deteriorating buildings in the city. It was proposed nearly eight years ago to address ageing infrastructure in older localities.
What are the main challenges in implementing the cluster redevelopment plan?
The main challenges include securing consent from all owners and tenants, dealing with legal disputes, and meeting the minimum land requirement of 4,000sqm (approximately 1 acre) for cluster redevelopment in densely populated areas.
What are the incentives offered under the cluster development policy?
The incentives include an additional 4 FSI (floor space index), relaxed side and front margin requirements, special FSI provisions for free tenant rehabilitation, reduced road width norms for redevelopment, and a unique cluster transfer of development rights (TDR).
Why is there opposition from residents in Lokmanyanagar?
Residents in Lokmanyanagar, a locality with 52 housing societies and over 800 flats, are opposing the cluster redevelopment due to concerns about ageing infrastructure and the need for better living conditions. Many of these buildings are from the 1960s and are now in poor condition.
What steps is the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) taking to promote cluster redevelopment?
The PMC is conducting public awareness campaigns to highlight the benefits of cluster development for congested localities. They are also working to raise awareness and build consensus around the initiative, despite the challenges.
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