PMRDA drops water affidavit requirement for new housing projects

10 Sep 2024 CW Team

The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has scrapped the requirement for developers of new housing projects in 23 merged villages and areas outside a 5km radius from civic limits to provide affidavits ensuring water supply. This decision has raised concerns among citizens, fearing it could worsen the water shortage in the region.

In a circular issued, PMRDA Commissioner Yogesh Mhase announced the cancellation of the previous mandate, stating that it is now the responsibility of civic bodies to ensure water supply, as per Urban Development Department guidelines.

The annulled order, implemented in August last year, was originally designed to monitor water supply for new constructions. Citizens and NGOs argue that scrapping it could exacerbate the existing water crisis. Lawyer Satya Muley, who represented a public interest litigation (PIL) regarding water shortages, stated that local NGOs are preparing to issue legal notices to challenge this decision, citing concerns over unregulated urban growth without accountability for basic services like water and roads.

According to PMRDA officials, the decision to cancel the affidavit requirement stemmed from developers submitting false affidavits. The responsibility for water supply in the 23 merged villages and surrounding areas lies with local authorities like PMC and PCMC, and no special affidavits are needed if these bodies have committed to provide water.

The new circular applies to 814 villages under PMRDA’s jurisdiction, with the responsibility of water supply for the merged villages falling on PMC. Developers will still need to submit proposals to the engineering department for water supply plans in cases where occupancy certificates were issued based on gram panchayat assurances or developer guarantees.

(TOI)

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..