PMC Demolishes 50,000 Sq Ft of Illegal Structures as Citywide Anti-Encroachment Drive Gains Pace

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday intensified its anti-encroachment drive by clearing illegal constructions from a plot reserved for a Water Treatment Plant in the Sinhagad Road area.

The action was carried out at Survey No. 43 in Vadgaon Budruk, where unauthorized structures had come up on land earmarked for a key water supply project. According to officials, permanent houses, tin sheds, and commercial establishments spread across nearly 50,243 square feet were removed during the joint operation.

The drive was conducted under the directives of Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram. Joint teams led by Deputy Commissioner Somnath Bankar coordinated the operation. Officials and staff from the Water Supply Department, Anti-Encroachment Removal Department, Sinhagad Road Regional Office, Property Management Department, and the Building Department took part in the action. Police personnel were also deployed to maintain law and order.

Civic officials said the primary objective of the operation was to ensure that land reserved for public infrastructure remains free from obstructions. The cleared plot is crucial for future water supply projects in the area, and removal of encroachments is expected to prevent delays in implementation.

The action in Sinhagad Road is part of a larger city-wide crackdown on illegal constructions and encroachments. On the same day, drives were carried out in Bhavani Peth with support from the Khadak Traffic Police Department, while similar action was taken in Wanawadi–Ramtekdi against unauthorized structures and tin sheds. In the Nagar Road regional office limits, a joint operation is also underway in Adarsh Nagar, Lohgaon, in coordination with the Building Development Department.

With the return of elected corporators after the administrator’s tenure, discussions have also begun on how public representatives will respond to such enforcement drives, especially amid local pressure.

Deputy Commissioner Somnath Bankar said notices are issued before action is taken. “Encroachment removal in the city has been further tightened. Concerned parties are given an opportunity to remove materials voluntarily. If the encroachment continues, the department proceeds with removal. Action against illegal constructions and encroachments will continue in the coming days,” he stated.

PMC officials reiterated that the drive will continue in phases, with priority given to encroachments obstructing reserved plots, public amenities, roads, and traffic movement. The civic body has maintained a firm stance on protecting land meant for public use and ensuring planned urban development in Pune.