Maharashtra to introduce development control rules to rural areas

Maharashtra government is planning to introduce Development Control (DC) regulations for towns and rural areas on the lines of Mumbai to streamline construction activities.

"Intending to restrict haphazard constructions, the urban development department is planning to introduce DC regulations for A, B and C municipalities," TC Benjamin, principal secretary of the department, told Press Trust of India.

He said semi-urban and rural areas have no specific regulations like parking norms, fire and structural safety rules and open areas, which have led to clumsy development.

Also, these areas do not have construction concepts like floor space index (FSI), TDR (transfer of development rights), Benjamin added.

The recommendation about introduction DC rules in the other areas in the state apart from Mumbai came from a study group set up by the government under the director of town planning. The group studied similar practises in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat, the official said.

A proposal in this regard has been sent to chief minister Prithviraj Chavan for a final decision after which suggestions and objections would be invited, he said.

Once the final nod is received, municipal chiefs in towns and district collectors in rural areas will get power to grant permission for building constructions, Benjamin said.

The provisions of DC regulations were created to ensure controlled development in Mumbai and regulate the use of land for the large benefit of the community.