No more fuel pumps inside congested city

This follows concerns over possible danger from fuel stations located in developed,densely populated areas in the city forcing the state to seek an amendment to the civic body development control rules. This will mean more fuel stations on the outskirts.

The state government,through a notification,urged the civic body to include the provision to permit petrol and gas stations in no development zones (NDZs). Accordingly,the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration has sought the general body approval for filling stations in NDZs instead of development zones,as was the practice so far.

In a proposal tabled in the general body on Monday,municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade said the state government had given directions to amend the Development Control Rules of the PMC. “It will be risky to allow petrol and gas stations in development zones with housing localities and commercial complexes,” the proposal said. However,existing fuel stations will continue to function from their present locations.

It has specified that the proposed plot should have a frontage on the national highway,state highway or a major district road with a minimum 18-metre width. Also,such permission can be given in NDZs provided minimum area of the plot is 2,000 square metres and the minimum road frontage 30 metres. The maximum floor space index (FSI) should be 0.04 (four per cent),the proposal said adding that only the ground floor shall be permitted. The structure for allied uses other than petrol and gas filling will be permitted.

Vishwas Kulkarni of Architect,Engineer and Surveyor Association said,“The city needs more petrol and gas filling stations considering the number of vehicles hitting the city roads everyday. It is a welcome step by the government to allow fuel stations in the no development zone as there are risks in the development zone. Any incident would lead to damage of life and property in developed zones.”

Though there is likely to be concern over the green belt being hurt by fuel stations,he said there was no cause for worry as there will be limited construction,that too restricted to major roads. Deputy Municipal Commissioner Pravin Ashtikar said no new petrol and gas filling station has come up in the city in the past few years. “The idea of allowing them on no development zones will be good for the safety of the common public.”