Maharashtra starts implementation of unified development control regulations

The state government has started the process to implement unified development control regulations (DCR) — land and building development rules — for all municipal corporations (excluding Mumbai), councils, panchayats and metropolitan regions. However, a majority of these bodies are opposed to the move, and want to continue the existing system of separate DCRs. The state’s urban development department (UDD) has issued a notification on March 8 inviting suggestions and objections on unified DCR over one month. “Central government’s Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion stressed the need for common DCR for all municipal corporations, councils and other planning authorities in the state as per agenda of Ease of Doing Business. A two-member committee submitted the draft on March 6,” the notification said.