Maharashtra: State Government To Crack Down On Developers Exploiting Water Supply and STP Contracts: Fadnavis Orders Reforms In MahaRERA
Maharashtra: State Government To Crack Down On Developers Exploiting Water Supply and STP Contracts: Fadnavis Orders Reforms In MahaRERA
Maharashtra State Government Takes Policy Decision On MLA Mahesh Landge’s Concerns
Pimpri
The state government will now curb developers and builders who exploit loopholes in contracts related to water supply and sewage treatment plants, holding residential society members hostage. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered the Urban Development Department and MahaRERA to make reforms in this regard.
During the monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature in Mumbai, BJP MLA Mahesh Landge highlighted the water problems faced by society members and the arbitrary actions of developers regarding the standards of sewage treatment plants (STP). In response, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis has issued directives for concrete action.
MLA Landge stated that during the tenure of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, significant emphasis was placed on strengthening basic amenities in the included villages of the Bhosari Assembly constituency. This led to the development of the “Chikhali-Moshi-Charholi Residential Corridor,” resulting in the establishment of numerous housing societies. However, many societies face water shortages and have to rely on tankers because developers or builders fail to provide water supply as per the agreement. Additionally, STP plants are of poor quality, causing financial strain on society members. Frequent complaints about these issues have been received from the Chikhali-Moshi-Charholi-Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Society Federation and society members.
Given this background, developers are responsible for providing water supply to societies until the municipal administration ensures water availability. However, contracts often include a clause for society members to pay water bills. Furthermore, STP plants are often installed just for show. The state government needs to take a policy decision on this matter. Revisions in rules and strict enforcement are necessary. These demands were raised during the Maharashtra Legislature session, to which Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded positively and ordered relevant departments to take action.
What Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis Said
The water issue for society members and complaints regarding STPs are due to the negligence of developers and builders. Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Devendraji Fadnavis has taken a positive decision. “The responsibility of water supply lies entirely with the developers and builders, adhering to the agreement between the municipal corporation or local self-government bodies and the developers or builders. Additionally, the STP will be maintained and repaired by the developer for at least four to five years before handing over the project to the society,” he ordered the Urban Development Department. Also, changes will be made to the MahaRERA Act to address this issue. This will relieve society members in new housing projects from worrying about water supply and STP quality.
In newly developed housing projects in the included villages of Pimpri-Chinchwad, there are numerous complaints about developers and builders holding society members hostage regarding water supply and STPs. Disputes between society members and builders are common. As representatives, we receive these complaints. Therefore, a policy decision regarding water supply and STP quality was demanded in the assembly. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded positively, instructing relevant departments and ordering changes in MahaRERA. This decision is expected to bring relief to society members.
– Mahesh Landge, MLA, Bhosari Assembly, BJP, Pimpri-Chinchwad
