Buying in a PMRDA-approved locality means your neighborhood has government-mandated planned development. No chaos. No illegal construction. No surprise overcrowding.
Most Pune investors don’t realize that not all “developed” areas have equal planning standards. Some areas grew haphazardly (old city), while PMRDA areas were designed with infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and green space in mind.
This difference translates directly to property values: PMRDA-approved areas appreciate more predictably and maintain better long-term value because they have regulated growth.
This guide explains what PMRDA approval means, which areas have it, and why it matters for your investment.
What is PMRDA and why it matters
PMRDA = Pune Metropolitan Regional Development Authority
A government body responsible for:
- Planning metropolitan area development
- Approving residential layouts
- Ensuring infrastructure standards
- Regulating building density
- Controlling urban sprawl
PMRDA approval means:
- Development must follow registered layout plan
- Infrastructure (roads, water, sewage, electricity) must meet standards
- Building density limited (prevents overcrowding)
- Public spaces mandatory (parks, schools, hospitals)
- Transparent approvals (less corruption, fewer disputes)
Why buyers care:
- Investment safety (regulated area less likely to have title/legal issues)
- Predictable development (you know what neighborhood will look like in 10 years)
- Better resale value (established approval reduces buyer hesitation)
- Long-term appreciation (planned infrastructure, no sudden deterioration)
How PMRDA approval process works
Step 1: Layout Registration
Developer submits layout plan to PMRDA showing:
- Land size and ownership
- Road widths (PMRDA standards: 60-100 ft main roads, 30-40 ft internal)
- Open spaces (parks, schools, community centers)
- Infrastructure (water, sewage, electricity, drainage)
- Building density (FSI, plot sizes)
Step 2: PMRDA Approval
PMRDA reviews for:
- Infrastructure adequacy (water supply for population, sewage capacity)
- Road standards compliance (width, connectivity)
- Density reasonableness (not oversaturated)
- Public amenities (schools, hospitals, parks)
- Environmental impact (water bodies, green areas preserved)
Step 3: Municipal Approval
PMC/PCMC gives additional approvals:
- Sanitation and water supply
- Traffic impact assessment
- Building safety standards
Step 4: Sale to buyers
Only after approvals, properties can be sold to public. Builders cannot deviate from approved layout.
Timeline: 6-18 months for complete approval process.
List of major PMRDA-approved localities in Pune
Pre-PMRDA era (older, less regulated):
- Koregaon Park
- Hadapsar
- Baner
- Kondhwa
- Bibvewadi
Note: These were developed before PMRDA existed (pre-1997), so they don’t have PMRDA approval but have grown established.
Post-PMRDA era (regulated, approved):
| Area | Year Approved | Current Status | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hinjewadi | 2002-2005 | Established IT hub | Corporate professionals |
| Kharadi | 2004-2006 | Established residential | Families, working professionals |
| Wagholi | 2008-2010 | Growing | Investors seeking appreciation |
| Manjri | 2010-2012 | Developing | Budget-conscious buyers |
| Ravet | 2012-2014 | Emerging | Value investors |
| Undri | 2010-2012 | Under-development | Long-term investors |
| Mhalunge | 2012-2014 | Emerging | Portfolio diversification |
| Lohegaon | 2013-2015 | Growth phase | Aviation hub proximity |
| Talegaon | 2014-2016 | Emerging | Industrial/IT spillover |
| Narayangaon | 2015-2017 | Early stage | Emerging hotspot |
Key insight: Older PMRDA approvals (Hinjewadi, Kharadi) now mature, established pricing. Newer approvals (Ravet, Talegaon, Narayangaon) in growth/emerging phase, better appreciation potential.
Benefits of buying in PMRDA-approved areas
Benefit 1: Infrastructure guarantee
PMRDA-approved areas have:
- Planned road network (adequate for population)
- Water supply capacity calculated
- Sewage treatment plant built to spec
- Electricity distribution planned
- Drainage systems designed
Result: Less overcrowding, less infrastructure crisis (compared to haphazard areas).
Benefit 2: Predictable density
PMRDA limits building density based on land resources:
- Prevents oversaturation (100,000 people in 1 sq km = overcrowding)
- Ensures adequate open space (parks, playgrounds)
- Maintains property value (scarcity preserved)
Benefit 3: Reduced legal risk
PMRDA approval means:
- Land title legally vetted
- Municipal approvals done
- Layout cannot change suddenly (owner benefit: no new road cuts)
Benefit 4: Better resale value
Buyers prefer PMRDA-approved areas because:
- Predictable development (you know what area will look like)
- Lower fraud risk (regulated, approved)
- Bank loan easier (regulated area = lower lending risk)
- Appreciation more reliable
Price premium: PMRDA-approved areas typically appreciate 10-15% more than non-approved areas.
Red flags in non-PMRDA or irregular areas
Avoid areas with:
- No PMRDA approval (haphazard development, poor infrastructure)
- Layout changed post-approval (indicates poor governance)
- Overcrowding beyond designed capacity (infrastructure collapse)
- Illegal construction (indicates weak regulation enforcement)
- Ongoing disputes (land ownership issues, layout changes)
- Poor infrastructure visible (water shortage, clogged sewage, traffic chaos)
Example of problem: Area approved for 50,000 people but 200,000 living there = infrastructure collapse, poor resale value, unhappy residents.
How to verify PMRDA approval
Step 1: Check PMRDA website
Visit PMRDA.org or contact PMRDA office with:
- Locality name
- Area/CTS number
- Year of development
They can confirm:
- Approval status
- Approved layout plan
- Infrastructure specs
- Density allowed
Step 2: Request layout plan from builder/society
Original approved layout should show:
- Road widths
- Open space areas
- Infrastructure design
- Plot sizes approved
Step 3: Physical verification
Check on ground:
- Roads match layout (width, connectivity)
- Open spaces present (parks, schools, hospitals)
- Water supply functional
- Sewage treatment plant visible
Step 4: Consult property lawyer
Lawyer can:
- Verify PMRDA approval is genuine
- Check if layout changed post-approval
- Confirm no municipal violations
PMRDA-approved vs non-approved comparison
| Factor | PMRDA-Approved | Non-Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure planning | Designed to spec | Often inadequate |
| Building density | Limited by regulation | Uncontrolled |
| Open spaces | Mandatory 30-40% | Often reduced |
| Legal clarity | High (government vetted) | Variable (lawyer-dependent) |
| Resale value | Stable, predictable | Volatile |
| Appreciation rate | 10-15% annually | 5-10% annually (variable) |
| Buyer preference | Preferred (lower risk) | Avoided (higher risk) |
| Home loan approval | Easier (lower risk) | Harder (scrutiny higher) |
Verdict: PMRDA-approved areas offer better risk-adjusted returns. Premium 5-10% for approval is worth paying.
Best PMRDA-approved areas to invest in (2025)
For established value:
- Hinjewadi (approval 2002-2005, now mature, stable ₹65-80L 2BHK)
- Kharadi (approval 2004-2006, mature, stable ₹55-70L 2BHK)
- Baner (approval 2006-2008, mature, stable ₹45-60L 2BHK)
For growth potential:
- Wagholi (approval 2008-2010, metro + express highway, 40-60% appreciation expected)
- Manjri (approval 2010-2012, IT spillover, 30-50% appreciation expected)
- Lohegaon (approval 2013-2015, aviation hub, emerging)
For emerging investment:
- Ravet, Talegaon (approval 2012-2016, IT/highway spillover, 50-100% appreciation potential)
- Narayangaon (approval 2015-2017, express highway, 100-150% appreciation potential)
Recommended allocation:
- 50% in established areas (stable value preservation)
- 30% in growth phase areas (moderate appreciation)
- 20% in emerging areas (high appreciation potential)
How to verify specific locality is PMRDA-approved
Checklist:
- [ ] Area name appears in PMRDA approved localities list
- [ ] Layout plan registered with PMRDA (verify on website or office)
- [ ] Layout plan shows roads, open spaces, infrastructure matching current area
- [ ] Property card (7/12) shows area is residential, not agricultural/industrial
- [ ] Society/builder has NOC from PMRDA for ownership transfer
- [ ] No ongoing disputes in court about area/layout
- [ ] Infrastructure (roads, water, sewage) visible and functional
- [ ] Density matches layout plan (walk around, count buildings/people)
