PCMC razes under-construction structure at Joggers Park after political row

Pune: Days after a political controversy had erupted over an alleged illegal religious structure inside Joggers Park in Shivtejnagar area of Chikhali, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Wednesday demolished the under-construction building.Civic officials said the action was carried out in Ward No. 11 under the jurisdiction of the F regional office, where nearly 1,500 square metres of encroached public land was cleared during the demolition drive.“The action was part of the civic body’s ongoing drive against encroachments and unauthorised constructions on public spaces across the city,” a senior PCMC official said.The issue had snowballed into a political controversy after BJP corporator Yogita Nagargoje objected to the construction, claiming it was an encroachment on public amenity space inside the garden.Recently, former mayor and NCP leader Mangala Kadam, who allegedly backed the construction, publicly confronted BJP MLA Mahesh Landge over the issue. Kadam accused Landge of supporting Nagargoje’s stand seeking demolition of the structure despite receiving her political support for over 15 years.A video of the confrontation had surfaced on social media, in which Kadam was heard saying that she had worked for Landge for nearly 15 years despite belonging to a rival political party yet he was supporting a corporator against her.These remarks triggered political discussions in Pimpri Chinchwad, with many interpreting them as exposing internal differences within the NCP.NCP MP Parth Pawar also reacted to the controversy on social media, calling it the ‘bitter truth’ of Pimpri Chinchwad politics.Municipal commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi said the civic body would continue strict action against illegal constructions and encroachments on public spaces.“Keeping public spaces, gardens and grounds reserved for citizens free from encroachments has been the primary responsibility of the municipal corporation. There would be no compromise against unauthorised constructions and encroachments. Such actions would continue more effectively for planned urban development and citizens’ safety,” he said.