The Special Planning Authority status of Lavasa Corporation Limited, the real estate development arm of Ajit Gulabchand’s Hindustan Construction Company Limited (HCC), has come to an end.
This follows the decision by Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, to extend the jurisdiction of the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), a senior state government official told PTI. “Now, Lavasa Corporation is also within the extended limits of PMRDA. As a result, the Special Planning Authority status of Lavasa Corporation Limited has ended,” the official said.
See also: Lavasa City owes Pune Rs 4 crores in land tax
The Lavasa Corporation Limited, a private hill city developed by HCC near Pune, got the Special Planning Authority status in June 2008, the official said. It has faced criticism from social activists, alleging that it flouted environment norms. Activist Vishwambhar Chaudhari recently accused Lavasa of ‘misusing the status of Special Planning Authority.’ “Lavasa is misusing its Special Planning Authority status. The Urban Development department too, has mentioned it. The department is under the control of the chief minister. Now, action is required,” stated Chaudhari. When asked about the development, a spokesperson for HCC said “We are yet to receive any official communication on this, and once we get it, we will clarify our stand.”
