Pune: The eight-storeyed Registration Bhavan on Bund Garden Road is expected to start operations by the end of Feb, even as officials said the project spanning over three years has entered its final stages. “We are hopeful that the building will become operational by the end of this month,” said inspector general of registration (IGR) Ravindra Binawade on Monday. Once functional, the new building will house the offices of the IGR, Pune, the joint director of town planning, a dedicated call centre, and other allied offices, bringing key registration and stamp-related services under one roof. Chief secretary Rajesh Aggarwal recently reviewed the project and inspected the construction status, office space planning, citizen waiting areas, parking arrangements, and other infrastructure. He directed officials to ensure that the remaining work is completed within the stipulated timeframe and in accordance with quality standards. Officials said the new facility is expected to centralise registration-related offices in Pune and significantly improve citizen access to services. The project includes conventional parking on the ground floor and an automatic mechanical (hydraulic) parking system with a capacity for 51 four-wheelers. The dedicated Registration Bhavan for the state registration and stamps department is being constructed on a 1,421.4 sq m plot at Mauje, Bund Garden, officials said. The project received administrative approval in Jan 2021, work was launched in 2022 and actual construction began in 2023. As per a memorandum issued by the state revenue and forest department on Jan 21, 2021, administrative sanction of Rs37.57 crore was granted for the project. Officials said the entire expenditure is being met from the Personal Ledger Account (PLA) of the registration and stamps department, rather than through general budgetary allocations. A senior official of the public works department (PWD), which is overseeing the project, said finishing works are currently underway. “The civil structure is complete and we are now carrying out finishing works, including installation of furniture, fittings, and other internal works. These are in the final stages,” the official told TOI.
