The real estate and infrastructure story of Pune is deeply intertwined with the legacy of Gunthewari—an issue that has long blurred the lines between unplanned expansion and people’s right to shelter. As the city expands into its rural fringes and merged areas, the debate around regularisation of Gunthewari plots is again at the forefront, challenging policymakers, developers, and civic planners alike.
This blog explores the ongoing discourse surrounding Gunthewari regularisation in Pune, its legal background, recent state-level developments, and the broader implications for urban growth and infrastructure planning in Maharashtra.
What is Gunthewari?
Gunthewari refers to the unauthorised division and sale of agricultural land into smaller plots for residential use—often done without proper NA (non-agricultural) permissions, layout approvals, or basic civic infrastructure. This phenomenon began decades ago when urbanisation outpaced the formal planning mechanisms in cities like Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik.
While residents of such plots often built homes and settled due to affordability and proximity to the city, the developments remained outside the legal and infrastructural purview of local bodies. Over time, Gunthewari layouts became synonymous with informal growth and poor service delivery—yet they also represented the aspirations of lakhs of citizens.
Legal Landscape and Past Regularisation Efforts
The state government has made several attempts to address Gunthewari settlements in Maharashtra:
- 1995 and 2001 saw early regularisation drives, but their scope was limited and conditional.
- In 2011, a broader amnesty scheme was introduced under the Maharashtra Gunthewari Developments (Regularisation, Upgradation and Control) Act, covering plots developed before March 31, 2001.
- Despite multiple extensions, a large number of Gunthewari residents remained ineligible due to minor technicalities or the cutoff date.
The most recent debate now centers around further regularisation for constructions done till December 31, 2020, and whether another amendment or notification can be issued under the existing Act.
Latest Developments (As of 2025)
As per recent reports and updates, many residents, political leaders, and gram panchayats from merged areas of Pune have demanded that the cutoff date for Gunthewari regularisation be extended to include developments up to 2020. The push is strong in areas where urbanisation occurred rapidly post-2011, especially in parts of Mulshi, Haveli, Wagholi, and fringe areas now under Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) or PMRDA.
However, the Urban Development Department (UDD) of Maharashtra has indicated that such a move cannot happen without a policy amendment or court sanction. In response, several stakeholders are pursuing the legal route for clarity and extension.
Furthermore, PMC has submitted its own request to the state government to take a call on this issue, especially given the administrative complexities post-merger of 23 villages into PMC limits.
Challenges in Regularisation
While the intent to regularise is often seen as a pro-citizen move, the legal and civic implications are complex:
Infrastructure Strain
Most Gunthewari layouts lack proper roads, stormwater drains, water pipelines, sewage systems, and waste management setups. Regularising them implies that civic bodies must now retrofit infrastructure in already congested areas—an expensive and technically challenging task.
Urban Planning Conflicts
Many of these layouts violate development control (DC) rules, zoning norms, or fall under reserved land categories in the city’s Development Plan (DP). Regularisation may compromise the city’s long-term vision and open space reserves.
Legal Precedents and Citizen Rights
Courts have often taken a nuanced stand—balancing enforcement of planning laws with citizens’ right to shelter. Hence, the next round of regularisation needs to be legally sound, inclusive, and mindful of environmental concerns.
Why This Matters for Pune’s Development
As Pune evolves into a Smart City and as PMRDA executes regional growth plans, resolving the Gunthewari dilemma is crucial for integrated development. The decision will affect:
- Property taxes and revenue mobilisation for civic bodies
- Access to basic amenities for residents in these layouts
- Clarity for real estate transactions and title verification
- Future slum proliferation and illegal plotting
In addition, Gunthewari regularisation (or lack thereof) impacts public transport planning, Pune Metro connectivity, and road widening projects, as many of these settlements exist in transport corridors or buffer zones.
This issue is increasingly becoming a focal point for Pride Purple Properties Pune and other stakeholders committed to ethical development and legal clarity in the real estate sector.
Way Forward: A Policy Balancing Act
The ideal path lies in a transparent, digital, and phased regularisation mechanism:
- Use satellite imagery and GIS mapping to identify eligible layouts.
- Provide conditional regularisation only after basic infrastructure is planned and partially executed by plot owners or developers.
- Build a public portal for Gunthewari status checking, in line with MahaRERA’s push for digitisation and property clarity.
- Avoid blanket approvals; instead, apply area-specific criteria based on the Development Plan and environmental clearances.
What It Means for Homebuyers, Investors, and Developers
If you’re a potential homebuyer or developer in Pune, checking the legal status of land is now more crucial than ever. Gunthewari plots may seem attractive due to pricing and location, but they carry risks unless legally regularised.
At Pride Purple Properties Pune, we always advocate for clear-title, approved, and RERA-compliant projects, ensuring peace of mind for our 35,000+ residents and 30+ completed projects across Pune. As one of the best developers in Pune, we believe in transparent and legally sound urban development. As Pune continues to expand, choosing legally sound properties will determine your long-term asset value and safety.
Conclusion
Gunthewari regularisation is not just about correcting the past—it’s about shaping the future of Pune’s urban landscape. As stakeholders await clarity from the state government and judiciary, one thing is clear: planned growth and inclusive housing must go hand in hand.
The coming months will be crucial in determining how Pune integrates its informal peripheries into a legal and sustainable city structure.