Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday conducted a large-scale demolition drive targeting illegal constructions and encroachments in various parts of the city, including F C Road, Dhankawdi, Ahmednagar Road, and Hadapsar. This decisive action by the civic body underscores its commitment to enforcing urban planning regulations and maintaining public order.
According to a senior official from the PMC’s building permission department, the operation focused on demolishing illegal structures on the side and front margins of establishments. The joint effort between the anti-encroachment and building permission departments aimed to curb unauthorised activities proliferating in these areas. “Illegal constructions on side and front margins of establishments were demolished. The drive was conducted jointly by the anti-encroachment and building permission departments,” the official stated. The demolition activities were strategically scheduled for the late evening to target illegal operations that typically occur during that time. “Many roadside vendors regularly sell food or garments on streets. Some traders are involved in selling seasonal items like umbrellas, caps, etc. All these types of traders were targeted in the drive,” explained an anti-encroachment department official. The drive led to the confiscation of trading materials, food carts, handcarts, and cylinders.
This recent action marks the second significant operation on F C Road within a fortnight. In late June, the PMC intensified its crackdown following an alleged drug party at a lounge on F C Road. Prior to this, in the last week of May, a drive against illegal constructions was launched after an alleged hit-and-run incident in Kalyaninagar. This earlier campaign targeted rooftop restaurants in areas such as Kalyaninagar, Mundhwa, Pune railway station, Koregaon Park, Vimannagar, Deccan, Kothrud, and Ghorpadi. The PMC’s history of demolition drives reflects a pattern of stringent enforcement. In 2023, a major operation was conducted after a blaze gutted rooftop restaurants in Aundh and Lullanagar. The civic body identified 89 restaurants operating illegally on rooftops, resulting in the demolition of 53 establishments. Additionally, six operators voluntarily dismantled their properties, while seven eateries were shut down, and a stay order was issued for seven properties by the court. Criminal offences were filed against nine food joints for regulatory violations.
In a recent initiative, the PMC razed illegal structures in Kharadi, covering over 10,000 square feet. An official from the PMC noted that the civic body plans to continue its aggressive stance, carrying out joint drives against encroachments and illegal constructions throughout its jurisdiction. This sustained effort is a testament to the PMC’s resolve to uphold urban governance and ensure the city’s orderly development.
