As per the provisions in the BPMC Act, the PMC gets 15 percent of developed space free of cost from private builders in return of the development of reserved plots like parking facility, dispensary and housing from Economically Weaker Section (EWS).

The failure to take possession of the developed space was revealed by the civic administration to NCP corporator Nilesh Nikam.

“From 1995, the PMC has passed 50 proposals of land reservation, under which 2.80-lakh sq metres of land has been covered. Out of which, the PMC is to receive 75,400 sq metres of land. However, even though the civic body has taken possession of 37,000 sq metres, the rest is still to be possessed, where the buildings are standing in a complete state. Ironically, in many cases, the developers have already acquired the completion certificates, which the civic administration should not hand over,” he added.

“Secondly, the PMC also has to sign an agreement with the developers before giving him permission to develop the land. But in many cases it has been found that the PMC has not signed any agreement,” alleged Nikam.

However, Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi had recently issued directions to its land and estate department to speed up the work to take possession of the developed space.