The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has undertaken a substantial anti-encroachment operation along the Katraj-Kondhwa road.
Acting on repeated complaints from citizens, the civic body launched a meticulously coordinated demolition drive aimed at restoring the smooth flow of vehicles and ensuring pedestrian safety in one of the city’s most congested corridors.
The action, carried out on 16 May 2025, was led by officials from the Building Development and Encroachment Departments under the aegis of the Katraj-Kondhwa-Yewalewadi Ward Office. Over 7,500 square feet of unauthorised structures — including 16 permanent and temporary sheds — were razed to the ground, with seven truckloads of material seized during the process.
The initiative was supervised by senior PMC officials, including Deputy Commissioners Sandeep Khalate and Jayant Bhoskar, alongside Assistant Commissioner Laxman Kadbane. The on-ground operation deployed a robust team of engineers, encroachment inspectors, municipal police, and Maharashtra Security Force personnel.
This crackdown was prompted by growing concerns over traffic snarls, safety hazards, and deteriorating civic infrastructure due to unchecked illegal constructions encroaching onto public roads. Katraj-Kondhwa road, a vital connector in southern Pune, has long struggled under the pressure of rapid urbanisation, mixed land-use patterns, and unchecked commercial expansion. Civic officials admitted that the road had been gradually narrowed due to rampant encroachments, severely impacting traffic movement and service delivery.
What sets this demolition apart is the growing emphasis on equitable and sustainable urban development. By reasserting control over public land, PMC is sending a strong message about the need to protect public assets for collective benefit. Assistant Commissioner Kadbane stated that similar actions will follow in other areas where illegal encroachments obstruct urban mobility and civic functioning. “This is not a one-time action but part of a larger campaign to restore the city’s roads for the people,” he said.
Urban planning experts have long criticised the lax enforcement of building regulations and the rise of informal constructions along arterial roads, which not only hamper traffic but also undermine access to emergency services and public utilities. The current action represents a shift toward enforcing planned development as Pune grapples with its exponential population growth and evolving transport needs.
Residents in the area expressed relief as previously congested zones now offer wider lanes and improved walkability. However, some voiced concerns about the displaced vendors and small business owners who operated from the demolished structures. City planners suggest that future operations should be accompanied by sustainable rehabilitation plans to protect livelihoods while reclaiming civic space.
While the drive has garnered both praise and criticism, it underscores a pressing urban truth — the right to the city must be balanced between growth and governance. As Pune accelerates toward becoming a smarter, greener, and more liveable metropolis, reclaiming its roads from encroachments could be an important step toward equitable urban mobility.
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