The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the proposed demolition of 22 unauthorised residential structures within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River at the Chikhali-Moshi Phata area in Pimpri-Chinchwad, prompting the municipal corporation to temporarily suspend enforcement action.
The demolition proceedings were initiated by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation after directions from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The corporation had issued notices to the affected construction holders and begun hearings through its ‘C’ regional office. The Supreme Court’s order means that no further action will be taken on the structures until further directions from the court.
The dispute originated with a complaint filed before the NGT by a local resident in August 2023. The complaint alleged that extensive illegal plotting and residential construction had taken place within the red and blue flood lines near the river. It also raised concerns about encroachment on the floodplain, obstruction of the river’s natural flow and the risk of worsening flooding in the future.
During the proceedings, the NGT directed the municipal corporation and the district administration to conduct an inspection and submit a report. The municipal corporation told the tribunal that it had previously demolished four unauthorised structures in the area. The complainant subsequently pointed out that new construction had allegedly been carried out on the same sites without permission.
The NGT then directed that each construction holder be given an opportunity to present their case and ordered that the demolition process be completed within three months. Acting on those directions, the municipal corporation served notices and conducted hearings. The affected construction holders later challenged the NGT order before the Supreme Court.
Assistant Commissioner Ajinkya Yele said the corporation had received the Supreme Court’s status quo order during the hearing process. Consequently, he said, action against the structures would not be taken until further orders. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for 9 December 2026.
The case has also prompted the Pimpri-Chinchwad administration to change how field staff responsible for detecting unauthorised construction and encroachments are deployed. Municipal civil engineering assistants, who act as beat inspectors, will not be kept in the same area for extended periods. Municipal Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi has ordered that they be transferred every three months, with the stated aim of preventing localised financial interests from developing.
These assistants are responsible for identifying unauthorised buildings, roadside stalls and other encroachments at an early stage, informing senior officials and following up on enforcement action. The administration said it had received complaints that some assistants were not carrying out these duties properly and that prolonged postings in one area had led to allegations of deliberate inaction on unauthorised construction and encroachments. The demolition matter will now remain subject to the Supreme Court’s directions and the scheduled hearing.
