Nashik TDR Deal Sparks Inquiry Over Inflated Land Compensation

Legislative Council Chairman Orders 15-Day Probe Into Devlali Reserved Land Irregularities

In a move that could expose deep-rooted irregularities in Maharashtra’s urban land compensation process, Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde has ordered a detailed inquiry into a controversial Transferable Development Rights (TDR) allotment by the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC). The case pertains to Survey No. 295 in Devlali, where TDR certificates were allegedly granted at a price four times higher than the government market rate.

At a recent review meeting held in the state legislature, concerns were raised over the land, which was originally reserved for public amenities like a garden, school, and an 18-meter Development Plan (DP) road. Despite this, the NMC issued TDRs compensating landowners at a rate of ₹25,100 per square metre, while the government’s notified rate for the area stood at ₹6,500 per sq.m.

Chairman Prof. Shinde has directed the Nashik Municipal Commissioner, Inspector General of Registration & Controller of Stamps, and the District Collector of Nashik to submit a detailed inquiry report within 15 days. He also emphasized that if irregularities are found, criminal cases must be filed against the responsible officials immediately.

The meeting was attended via videoconference by Additional District Collector Babasaheb Pardhe, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sachin Bari, Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Raut, and urban planning officials including Director Dr. Pratibha Bhadane and Joint Directors Dhananjay Khot and Deepak Varade.

This potential misuse of the TDR mechanism has raised red flags over financial losses to the exchequer and prompted calls for greater oversight on compensatory mechanisms used in urban planning.