Nagpur: A group of real estate developers, builders and investors, after a close scrutiny, has found dozens of holes in the Draft Development Plan of Nagpur Metropolitan Area (NMA). The draft, which was publicized by Nagpur Improvement Trust for seeking objections and suggestions, was ripped apart by the group by terming it as unfeasible and far from ground realities. The group of real estate developers, builders and investors, in a letter sent to Chairman, Metro Section, Nagpur Improvement Trust, North Ambazari Road, has filed a volley of objections and suggestions aimed at making the Draft Development Plan of Nagpur Metro Region more meaningful and feasible based on the technical, practical and social considerations of ground realities. The group has collectively submitted following objections and suggestions:

1) Shift all reservations (public/semi-public/amenities etc) from private land to the ample Government land of departments available in the vicinity of each and every proposed reservation. In the rarest instance, wherein it is not possible or feasible, then the monetary compensation be provided as per the latest provisions of Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. The TDR, FSI or any other non-monetary form of compensation is strongly objected.

2) Keep R1 zoning of all the land that is eligible for residential NA under the existing rules of Gaothan periphery of 500 meters. Rest all other land that is deemed fit for residential zoning be kept under R2. If this is done then there is no need of R3 and R4 zoning at all.

3) All costly land that has Ready Reckoner rates of more than Rs 50 lakh per hectare be removed from A1 and A2 as farming is not viable and improbable due to high cost of land and other economic reasons. Such land should appropriately be kept in residential/commercial/industrial/logistical etc.

4) Remove the category of A1 and A2 for agriculture land and bring them under one type. Further, allow all agriculture land situated along National Highways/State Highways to be eligible for NA conversion for commercial/industrial/logistical use if they fulfill the other criteria and regulations of DCR.

5) Do not link the premium charges with Ready Reckoner rates as these rates are very high in most areas. High premium rates will make development and construction unviable.

The group of real estate developers, builders and investors has further urged the Chairman, Metro Section, Nagpur Improvement Trust, to call the selected team for the hearing. They are ready to discuss and explain these issues in detail with the concerned committee/authorities/consultants for all round development of Nagpur Metropolitan Area.

The copies the letter have also been sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.