Development rule change

 Objection to development control rule change on high-rises on fringes of airport

PUNE: The Pune Janhit Ahgadi and a couple of Congress corporators have strongly objected to the City Improvement Committee's (CIC) suggestion to delete the precondition to seek defence department's No Objection Certificate (NOC) for high-rise construction close to the Lohegaon airport.

The DC rules of the PMC state: "The development permission, for building having height more than 15 meter and falling within 2 km radius of international airport site and within 1 km from periphery of defence area shall be considered only after the applicant produces NOC from the Minister of Defence through Air Force station, Pune".

While approving the new Development Plan (DP) for the old city areas, the CIC deleted this precondition and said that there was no need for an NOC for high-rise buildings around the airport site.

"The CIC's move is shocking. The CIC members who have proposed this change in the DC rule have compromised with the security of the airport. Considering the presence of defence establishment in this locality, high-rise buildings could prove a serious threat. We will take up the matter with the state government," said Congress corporators Sanjay Balgude and Mukari Algude on Saturday.

The Congress corporators alleged that the DC rule changes were proposed to benefit some influential developers who want to construct high-rise buildings in the locality. "We will oppose it in the General Body meeting, and if required, launch an agitation," said Balgude.

Pune Janhit Aghadi, a civic organization, said in a press release that the CIC members who have proposed changes in the DC rules have showed willingness to compromise with the security of defence establishment and the airport.

"The PMC should clarify why this change was proposed in the DC rules," said Ujwal Keskar, the president of the Pune Janhit Aghadi.

City Improvement Committee rejects allegations

CIC chairman Chetan Tupe said the Committee members have not compromised with the defence or airport security. "The NOC rule was not a part of the 1987 DP. This rule was incorporated by the civic administration and it is not consistent with the Union government's rules. The CIC decided to delete this rule because permission is already being given for high-rise buildings in this area," said Tupe.

"If we consider a 2 km radius, as the rule says, many existing buildings will come under the rule. So it is an impractical rule and hence we deleted it," Tupe added.

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Objection-to-development-control.rule-change-on-high-rises-on-fringes-of-airport/articleshow/16985639.cms