Pune: A day after the State government revoked the special planning authority (SPA) status hitherto enjoyed by Lavasa Corporation Limited (LCL), the company said on Wednesday that they are yet to receive an official intimation.
“The Chief Minister has said that when the (Lavasa Hill City) project had started, there was no planning authority and hence the SPA status was given to Lavasa. Now that the Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (PMRDA) has been established, there is no need for another planning authority,” said a statement issued by the LCL.
The LCL said the company is looking forward to working with the PMRDA in cooperation with the Maharashtra government in developing the Lavasa Hill City, India’s first newly-developed smart city.
The LCL, in its statement, defended that the SPA worked as per the rules and regulations laid down by the State, and is subject to their supervision. “This (the SPA’s function) will now be done by the PMRDA. This brings Lavasa under the Pune metropolitan limits and will benefit from the broader urban development plan of the region.”
The LCL said the company and their stakeholders had made a substantial investment which will ultimately see the creation of one lakh permanent jobs. “The 18 villages declared under the Hill Station Regulation Act have a stake in the development of Lavasa. No land has been acquired by the government for the development of the city. All the land has been bought legally,” said LCL, while denying allegations of irregularities.
