Pune’s Evolving Real Estate Landscape: Navigating New Policies, Transit Upgrades & Regulatory Challenges

Explore how Pune’s real estate is being shaped by upcoming metro extensions, UDD notifications on open plots, and MahaRERA’s warning list. Learn what buyers and developers need to know.

Introduction

As Pune’s cityscape grows denser and more ambitious, the interplay between legal regulations and infrastructure expansion becomes increasingly critical. From metro rail network extensions to open land policy reforms and regulatory alerts from MahaRERA, the real estate ecosystem is undergoing significant change. Whether you’re looking for affordable homes in Pune near Metro or analyzing compliance updates, these changes will impact both current and future stakeholders.
This blog highlights three key developments:

  • Pune Metro’s proposed Phase 2 extensions and their urban impact,
  • The Urban Development Department’s (UDD) open land notification for merged villages,
  • MahaRERA’s expanding list of ‘watchlisted’ projects and developers.

Each of these has significant implications for both homebuyers and trusted developers in Pune.

1. Metro Phase 2: Expanding Pune’s Transit-Driven Growth

MahaMetro has proposed a 40.83 km expansion of Phase 2, involving three corridors:

  • Vanaz–Ramwadi–Wagholi
  • Swargate–Katraj
  • Ramwadi–Hadapsar–Saswad Road

A revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) has already been submitted to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), and Maharashtra state government. With interchanges at Ramwadi and Swargate, this extension is expected to decongest traffic while boosting real estate value in East and South Pune.

Implications:

  • Real estate boom: Katraj, Hadapsar, Wagholi, and Saswad Road are expected to witness rising property prices and new residential launches, making them some of the best areas to invest in Pune 2025.
  • Improved last-mile connectivity: Enhancing quality of life and increasing demand for 2 & 3 BHK homes. These areas are also emerging as hubs for affordable homes in Pune near Metro.
  • Developer push: Builders are now eyeing land parcels along proposed metro lines to launch transit-oriented development (TOD) projects.

2. UDD’s Draft Notification for Open Plot Control: Addressing Merged Village Issues

The Urban Development Department (UDD) recently released a draft notification to govern construction on open plots in 34 merged villages of PMC.
Key provisions under discussion:

  • Layouts of open lands above 0.4 hectares will require permission from PMC and adherence to zoning regulations.
  • Development Charges and Sanctions to be aligned with DP (Development Plan) rules.
  • PMC has been granted the authority to formulate layout policies for such open lands, ensuring planned urbanisation.

Background:
In the absence of clear Development Control (DC) rules in merged areas, rampant unauthorised plotting and informal layouts had emerged—posing risks for buyers.
Impact:

  • Positive for buyers: Clear demarcation of layout guidelines ensures security in land investments.
  • Developers’ challenge: Planners must now factor in regulatory compliance and infrastructure provisioning costs.
  • Improved planning: Municipal authorities can better regulate civic amenities, public spaces, and roads.

This draft policy also aligns with Maharashtra’s larger push for structured urbanisation, especially in peri-urban zones of major cities.

3. MahaRERA’s Watchlist: Buyer Awareness and Industry Introspection

MahaRERA has released and is regularly updating a “Watchlist”—a section on its website that includes:

  • Projects lacking valid RERA registration
  • Builders or projects where completion or possession is delayed
  • Developers against whom complaints have been registered repeatedly

This tool allows consumers to check the credibility of real estate projects before investing.
Developer concerns:
While intended for transparency, inclusion in such a list can harm brand perception, even for projects where delays are due to legitimate hurdles like environment clearance or legal disputes.
Benefits to customers:

  • Encourages due diligence among buyers.
  • Promotes confidence in MahaRERA’s enforcement of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016.

MahaRERA is also considering proactive disclosure frameworks, where developers must update status reports regularly to avoid being listed. This framework helps homebuyers easily identify trusted developers in Pune and make informed choices.

Conclusion: A More Transparent and Connected Real Estate Future for Pune

The trio of reforms—metro extensions, policy control over open lands, and stronger regulatory tracking—signals a maturing urban ecosystem in Pune. It’s a transition from haphazard urbanisation to planned, commuter-friendly, and transparent development.
For developers, this means the need for:

  • Strategic land banking along transit corridors,
  • Stronger compliance mechanisms,
  • Communication transparency with stakeholders and buyers.

For homebuyers and investors, the message is clear:

  • Due diligence is non-negotiable,
  • Buying near transit corridors has long-term value, and
  • Choose projects with clean MahaRERA compliance history.

At Pride Purple Properties, we welcome this shift. With decades of experience and a commitment to quality, compliance, and customer-first approach, we continue to shape Pune’s skyline responsibly. From West Pune to the booming East, we believe in building not just homes, but a secure future for every family. If you’re exploring affordable homes in Pune near Metro or evaluating the best areas to invest in Pune 2025, we’re here to help you make the right move.

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