Pune: PMC Launches Major Demolition Drive in Lohegaon and Kharadi; 10,000 Sq. Ft. of Illegal Structures Razed
PUNE, March 18, 2026: In a decisive move against unauthorized urban sprawl, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) conducted a large-scale demolition drive in the Lohegaon and Kharadi areas along the Pune-Ahmednagar Road on Tuesday. Following direct orders from the Municipal Commissioner, enforcement teams cleared approximately 10,000 square feet of illegal constructions.
The operation commenced at 6:00 AM on March 17, 2026, targeting both temporary sheds and permanent concrete structures that had been erected without the necessary sanctions. The crackdown is part of a broader initiative by the civic body to reclaim public land and ensure planned urban development along the city’s busy eastern corridor.
Massive Manpower and Machinery Deployed
The scale of the unauthorized structures required a significant mobilization of resources. To maintain law and order and ensure the efficiency of the drive, the PMC deployed a comprehensive team including:
- Security: 20 PMC police personnel and 50 Maharashtra State Security Force (MSF) jawans.
- Enforcement: 6 Assistant Encroachment Inspectors and 20 manual laborers (Bigari Sevaks).
- Heavy Machinery: 6 JCB excavators, 4 breakers, and 2 gas cutters were utilized to dismantle the reinforced structures.
Officials stated that the drive specifically targeted “unauthorized kucha and pucca sheds” that were obstructing planned infrastructure or violating zoning regulations. The PMC has warned that similar actions will continue against developers and occupants who bypass legal building protocols.
Residents and commuters on the Pune-Nagar road witnessed heavy security presence throughout the morning as the debris was cleared. This latest action signals a toughening stance by the municipal administration against illegal encroachments in the rapidly developing IT and residential hubs of Kharadi and Lohegaon.
