State excise department issues notices to 25 gram panchayats with operational illicit liquor units

Pune: The state excise department has identified 25 villages in Pune district with functioning illicit liquor units and issued notices to their gram panchayats, directing them to stop such activities and immediately report any suspicious operations. The action follows recent hooch tragedies in Phugewadi (Pimpri Chinchwad) and Pandharemala (Hadapsar) that claimed 20 lives between May 26 and 28.

Confirming the move, state excise superintendent Atul Kanade said the notices, sent via Pune collectorate, covered Sortapwadi, Kunjirwadi, Nandur (near Yavat), Rajewadi, Bhosalewadi and Apti in Shirur taluka, among other villages. “The gram panchayats have been told not to allow illegal liquor production within their jurisdictions and to promptly alert authorities or the police if any such activity is detected. Contact numbers of excise officials have also been shared with residents to facilitate quick reporting,” he said.

Excise officials said many of these villages were located near Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad cities with easy access to water sources, making them favourable for illicit liquor production. “Several are situated along canal networks, such as the Mutha Right Bank Canal or near rivers, ensuring a steady water supply. Besides, some units operate from isolated spots, including govt-owned land, enabling operators to evade enforcement,” an official said.

Kanade said the liquor produced in these areas was largely supplied to slum settlements in Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, as well as industrial hubs like Chakan and Ranjangaon, where it was consumed by factory workers.

A gram panchayat member from a village along the Pune-Solapur highway, however, alleged that residents often faced threats from those involved in the illegal trade. The member said some operators might have backing from certain police personnel, making it difficult for locals to report such activities.

Since May 28, the department has registered 142 cases and arrested 116 individuals linked to illicit liquor manufacturing.

Three patients recover & return home

PCMC said all three patients admitted to the civic-run YCM Hospital after consuming spurious liquor in the Phugewadi hooch case have fully recovered and been discharged, after being brought in critical condition and given free treatment including intensive care, continuous monitoring and medical investigations under specialist supervision. PCMC medical officer Dr Laxman Gophane credited timely intervention and prompt care for preventing complications and enabling their safe return home.