A state-appointed panel has inspected only two of 30 integrated township projects in Maharashtra, both in Nagpur, despite its mandate to assess water availability, construction progress, amenity spaces, and economical housing provisions. Delays in the construction of promised amenities were found, with significant work yet to begin, particularly in Pune and Konkan. Residents have raised concerns about inadequate water supply, with many relying on tankers. The committee plans to report water issues to the government and verify compliance with the state's township policy. Experts express concerns over the slow pace of inspections ahead of the assembly elections later this year.
A state-appointed panel tasked with evaluating integrated township projects across Maharashtra has only inspected two out of 30 developments, both located in Nagpur. The panel, established early last year, is responsible for thoroughly assessing each township on key factors such as water availability, construction progress, provision of amenity spaces, and the inclusion of economical housing. Additionally, the committee is mandated to verify whether these projects adhere to the proposals submitted under the state's integrated township policy.
According to an article first published by ET Realty, a senior official from the town planning department revealed that the inspections of the two Nagpur projects exposed delays in the construction of promised amenity spaces. According to the panel, the overall scope of the work is vast, and inspections were delayed due to certain issues last year. The official emphasized that the committee would now shift its focus to the remaining projects, particularly those in Pune and Konkan divisions, where the bulk of township projects are located. Pune alone accounts for 13 of the 30 ongoing projects.
Residents in several of these townships have expressed dissatisfaction, citing inadequate water supply as a primary concern. Many residents have been forced to rely on water tankers to meet their daily needs, which has led to mounting expenses. The committee plans to register these complaints with the state government and will further examine the progress of construction in all townships. Ensuring that developers comply with their original proposals, particularly with regard to economical housing, remains a priority for the panel.
Developers are required to obtain clearance from the irrigation department to ensure an adequate water supply for these projects. At present, 13 townships are still in the construction phase, with most located in the Pune, Konkan, and Nagpur divisions.
Advocate Satya Muley, representing housing societies in a public interest litigation (PIL) related to erratic water supply, raised concerns about the state government's lack of attention to basic civic amenities in these integrated townships. He highlighted that citizens' fundamental right to water for drinking and domestic purposes is being violated, as residents continue to spend significant amounts of money to purchase water from tankers.
Citizen activists specializing in rainwater harvesting questioned how such large-scale projects could adequately supply water to their residents without robust conservation efforts. They stressed the importance of rainwater harvesting and other conservation measures to prevent groundwater depletion. Moreover, they called for audits of the city's natural water resources and their maintenance to secure long-term solutions for future water shortages, particularly in light of potential monsoon deficits.
Experts expressed concern that the slow pace of inspections may hinder the timely submission of critical reports ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in October-November. Some questioned whether the government would act on the panel's findings, especially in terms of penalizing developers who fail to comply with the township policy.
In conclusion, urgent action is needed to address the shortcomings in integrated townships, especially regarding water supply and amenities. Stakeholders must collaborate to ensure residents' fundamental rights are upheld.
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