Vacate ahead of monsoon, PMC tells occupants of 36 dilapidated wadas

Pune: The civic body’s assurances that tenancy rights would be granted through tenancy certificates have fallen on deaf ears as many residents are unwilling to vacate dilapidated wadas and properties in the city.The Pune Municipal Corporation has now issued notices to the owners and occupants of 36 properties, instructing them to vacate ahead of the rainy season.PMC started issuing tenancy certificates, a one-of-a-kind initiative by the civic body, to tenants to resolve the legal battles between owners and occupants around 10 years ago. More than 15,000 tenants are living in such wadas, but PMC data shows that only around 1,000 such certificates have been issued so far.Many tenants said they have not vacated the dilapidated structures as they were afraid of losing their properties and found it tough to trust the municipal system.“The administration is falling short in convincing the people. The notices given to these wadas are improper. It is proving a deterrent for promotion of the tenancy,” said Vishal Dhanwade, a corporator from the Peth areas.Wadas are located at prime locations in the core city areas, including Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth, Ganesh Peth, Ganj Peth, Somwar Peth, Kasba Peth, Ghorpade Peth and Mangalwar Peth.“The residents want rehabilitation in the same locality as many have been living here for generations. The administration must promise it, but residents haven’t got such assurances,” said Kasba Peth resident Saurabh Dhokate.“The risk of old houses collapsing within the PMC jurisdiction increases significantly during the monsoon. It is essential to take all necessary precautions to eliminate any threat to the lives of residents living in such hazardous properties, as well as to the safety of neighbours and passers by,” said Aniruddha Pawaskar, city engineer of PMC.He added that on behalf of PMC, notices have been issued under Sections 268(B) and (C) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act to the owners, tenants and residents of old houses that have been declared dangerous and unfit for habitation. These individuals are required to vacate the premises immediately until the danger is averted. Tenants, flat owners, landlords and cooperative housing societies will be issued occupancy certificates corresponding to the areas under their possession, he said.