Minister for Town and Country Planning (TCP), Vishwajit Rane, announced that in the past six months, no permissions have been issued for hill cutting. The TCP department is moving to amend regulations, proposing fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹1 crore for illegal activities, including hill cutting and unauthorized land plotting. These fines will vary based on the size of the plot.
Rane emphasized that the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, and concerned Talathis must act against such illegalities, as directed by the Chief Minister during a recent press conference. He reiterated that when no permissions have been granted by the TCP department, the question of issuing fresh approvals does not arise. He also revealed that new guidelines will be implemented, requiring soil stabilization reports from engineers, among other safety measures.
Addressing the Reis-Magos case, Rane clarified that the project’s conversion sanad was obtained in 1994, with the zone change made under RP 2001. Initial approval was granted in 1995, followed by revised approval in 2008. He noted that incorrect information regarding this matter is being circulated among the public.
