Thane: The Maharashtra government will extend its proposed micro-zoning system for property valuation to Thane and Navi Mumbai after its pilot implementation in Mumbai, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced on Thursday.The reform seeks to replace the existing practice of applying a uniform Ready Reckoner (RR) rate to all properties within a zone, irrespective of their nature. Under the proposed framework, RR rates will be determined according to the level of development, infrastructure and civic amenities available in each micro-zone, resulting in separate valuations for premium high-rises, middle-income housing and slum settlements.“At present, slums, chawls and premium residential towers in the same locality or zone often fall under a common Ready Reckoner rate, leading to anomalies in property valuation and transaction costs. The micro-zoning system will ensure valuations are more accurate and reflective of prevailing ground realities,” Bawankule said.A comprehensive GIS-based survey has already commenced in Mumbai, where the system will be implemented on a pilot basis. The Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Centre (MRSAC) has been tasked with conducting the survey. Based on the pilot’s outcome, the model will be rolled out in Thane and Navi Mumbai before being expanded to Pune, Nashik and eventually across the state.The minister said the initiative, proposed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, is aimed at making property valuation more transparent and equitable. He said the new system would benefit middle-class homebuyers and slum residents by ensuring property values are fixed according to the actual development and amenities in each neighbourhood.Bawankule said the first phase of the ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maharajaswa Abhiyan’ has delivered government services to more than 76,000 families in Thane district. The state aims to extend the outreach to 10 lakh families, he said, while announcing the district will soon get an additional Collector’s office and two new tehsil offices.
