Pune – In a concerted effort to address unauthorized constructions, officials from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Air Force Station (AFS) Pune are set to survey all properties within a 100-metre radius of the airbase. This initiative comes amid concerns over the proliferation of unauthorized buildings near one of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) crucial installations, which houses squadrons of Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft.
The joint survey, scheduled to commence in the first week of June, will include a comprehensive review of properties in the Lohegaon and Dhanori areas, where numerous multi-storey buildings have been constructed. A PMC official stated, “We will conduct a joint survey with the IAF. In our last meeting, we discussed the preliminary details of the work.” To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the survey, PMC officials have proposed the use of drones, a method that requires special permissions due to security restrictions. A senior IAF officer highlighted, “The IAF has designated the area as a no-drone zone for security reasons. However, given the proximity of the survey to the station boundary, we will seek permission from the Air Headquarters and South Western Air Command.”
The Defence Estates Office (DEO) of the Pune zone has also emphasized the critical nature of this survey. A senior DEO official disclosed, “On March 26, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Defence concerning unauthorized constructions in restricted zones of defence establishments, including AFS Pune. Subsequently, the ministry appointed Bimal Kumar Dubey, deputy general manager of the Ammunition Factory Khadki, to coordinate with PMC and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation for the survey.” The urgency of this survey is underscored by the presence of buildings perilously close to sensitive areas within the airbase. A senior IAF official expressed concern, stating, “Despite the area being a restricted zone, PMC has permitted private entities to construct housing societies. Some buildings are alarmingly close to the bomb dumping ground of the Air Force station in Lohegaon.”
The joint survey aims to identify and address these unauthorized constructions, ensuring compliance with safety and security regulations. This initiative is a crucial step in maintaining the operational integrity and security of AFS Pune, one of the nation’s strategic defence installations. The collaborative effort between the PMC and the IAF signifies a proactive approach to urban planning and security management, ensuring that development does not compromise the safety of critical defence infrastructure.
