PMC demolishes 3 lakh sq ft illegal structures after new body takes charge

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has demolished illegal constructions spanning nearly three lakh square feet in a special drive launched about a week ago. The action covered multiple parts of the city, including Sadashiv Peth, Kharadi, Hadapsar, Baner, Balewadi and Shivajinagar.Somnath Bankar, a senior official from PMC's building permission department, said notices had been served to property owners, asking them to remove unauthorised structures. "As they failed to comply, the administration proceeded with demolition. The structures included both permanent concrete constructions and temporary tin sheds," he said. Officials added that the crackdown gathered pace after the newly elected civic body assumed charge.
According to PMC, the civic administration grants around 1,000 to 1,500 building permissions every financial year, with redevelopment projects contributing significantly to its revenue.Officials stated that the demolitions were conducted under the Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) and the provisions of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. In cases of violations, notices are issued under Section 53 of the Act, directing owners to remove unauthorised work within a stipulated period.Minor violations within permissible limits can be regularised upon payment of a compounding fee. However, constructions on public roads, in No Development Zones, or those built without any permission are subject to compulsory demolition at the owner's cost.Residents expressed concern that unsuspecting homebuyers often suffer losses. "An easy system should be in place to cross-verify the legal and illegal properties. The list of these properties should be on PMC's website at the click of a button, so that a common citizen can check the property before making any transactions," said Gauri Kulkarni, a resident of Kothrud.