12 May,2011 06:29 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Taluka sees 6,000 land deals in past two years as investors buy plots to later sell these off to hill station projects for handsome returns
Picturesque Velhe -- gifted with nature's bounty and rich history -- is fast becoming a land investment destination, thanks to three upcoming hill station projects in the taluka. The taluka, 55 km from the city, has seen around 6,000 land deals in the past two years.
The land rush is on: Beautiful landscapes and waterscapes attract
people to Velhe near Bhor for the purchase of land. Pic/Vivek Sabnis
Boasting two historical forts, including Rajgadh which was the first capital of Chatrapati Shivaji, three reservoirs and lush green landscape, Velhe is not only an investment destination, but it also has the potential to become a tourism hotspot.
Plots are selling like hot cakes in the area. If most people are buying land only to sell it off later and earn a handsome return, some are planning to make a second home nestled in the nature's cradle. P U Khatavkar, sub register of Velhe Talathi office, said land purchasing was increasing day by day. The land deed transactions have suddenly increase following the Lavasa Hill Station Project, in which some of the Velhe villages have been incorporated.
"People from Pune, Mumbai and Kolhapur and also the local residents realised the potential of the investing in land here. This is an investment for the next five to 10 years when land prices are expected to hit the roof," he said. At present, an acre of land could cost anything between Rs 50,000 and Rs 3 lakh, depending on its location and proximity to the main road, water bodies and hills.
Out of 140 villages of Velhe, Vinjar, Ambawane, Panshet, Gunjawane, Kolambe, Pasvi and Parbe are the most sought after places for land deals, Khatavkar said. Prakash Bongale, Assistant Director, city town planning, said after Lavasa Hill Station project three new upcoming projects would be developedu00a0 by Aqua Land (India) Ltd, Satind Infrastructure Pvt Ltd and Maharashtra Valley View Ltd. "There is a possibility of a few more private hill station projects in the near future and these developers will require land. So those who are investing in land now may get a handsome return if the plot is sold to promoters," he pointed out.
"Not only Velhe but the nearby Bhor has also became a prime place for land purchase," he added. Dr Ravindra Lonkar, a historian, said that Velhe has the potential of become a favourite tourist spot as many people want to visit Rajgad and Torna forts.
What Velhe has
'u00a0Rajgad and Torna forts
' Varasgaon, Panshet and Gunjawane dams
' Beautiful ghat roads, lush green farms and forests
