The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to launch a significant slum rehabilitation initiative at Meenatai Thackeray Vasahat in Indiranagar, Maharshinagar, and Gultekdi. This project will be the first of its kind to be managed directly by the PMC under the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme on municipal land. The goal is to improve the living conditions of slum residents by constructing new high-rise buildings on-site. Previously, private builders managed SRA projects on PMC land, requiring SRA approval, payment of 25 per cent of the land cost to SRA, and consent from 51 per cent of slum residents. In return, SRA would remit 15 per cent of the land cost to PMC. The new approach allows the PMC to oversee the SRA scheme directly, bypassing these previous requirements.

The PMC has identified 22 of the 52 slums on its land for rehabilitation, beginning with a 12.5-acre site in Maharshinagar, valued at approximately Rs 10 billion. Tendering for developers is scheduled to start next week. The project will include the construction of 12 to 13 high-rise buildings, each about 45 meters tall, to accommodate the current residents of the 2,554 huts in the area. Additionally, developers will be provided with road-facing land to construct commercial towers up to 100 metres tall.

Under the new scheme, developers will receive 4.5 Transfer Development Rights (TDR) for slum development. The PMC will manage all approvals, removing the need for SRA's consent or approval from slum dwellers. The construction contract will be awarded to the developer offering the highest number of housing units, as per the tender conditions. The successful developer will benefit from TDR, Floor Space Index (FSI), and additional space for further development.