It146;s official: Your views will decide development plan

The new maps will be accessible at the Pune Municipal Corporation PMC, the office of the deputy director of town planning at Sahakar Nagar and the office of the assistant director of town planning, Pune branch, at Narayan Peth. It can also be accessed on urban.maharashtra.gov.in.

Urban development department principal secretary TC Benjamin said, 8220;The maps were sent to ensure transparency and citizens can make suggestions and objections within 60 days,8221; he said.

Anyone with suggestions or objections should get in touch with Sadhana Naik, the deputy director of town planning. She would submit a report after two months, said director Srirang Landge. 8220;People can access the maps from city engineer at PMC and Prakash Bongade, assistant director of town planning,8221; Langde said.

The earlier notification was released on August 13 without any maps of the development plan, making it difficult for citizens to send their views. This had led to objections by standing committee chairman Shyam Deshpande, former mayor Vandana Chavan and members of the National Society for Clean Cities .

Terming the state government8217;s decision a victory for citizens, Deshpande said, 8220;An official gazette on the notification will be released by next week and the countdown for sending suggestions and objections will begin from the date of release of the gazette.8221; The town planning department would furnish the reasons for the proposed changes within two days, he said.

Deshpande said they would try to address all the reservations raised. 8220;We will make people aware about these reservations. We had earlier collected about 70,000 suggestions and objections to save the Bio Diversity Park in Baner.8221;

Aneeta Beninger, professor of development planning and executive director of the Centre for Development Studies and Activities, was at the forefront of the opposition to the earlier notification. She welcomed the government8217;s move.