This operation focused on unauthorized constructions on reserved land. Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh and Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Chaube are leading the action, supported by 600 police officers and heavy machinery.
Pune, Feb 11, 2025 – The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has intensified its crackdown on unauthorized constructions in the Chikhali–Kudalwadi area, demolishing over 2137 illegal structures in the past few days. The large-scale demolition drive, which began on Saturday, has cleared approximately 372 acres of encroachments, targeting unauthorized buildings on reserved land.
Massive Encroachment Drive Underway
On Monday alone, authorities razed 682 unauthorized structures, following the demolition of 222 structures on the first day of the operation. The drive aims to remove illegally constructed sheds, factories, warehouses, and scrap shops built on land designated for city development and public utilities. Officials had issued notices last year to owners of more than 4,300 illegal structures in the area, warning them about the impending action.
Authorities Lead Crackdown
The operation is being jointly overseen by Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh and Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Chaube. The PCMC’s Building Permission and Unauthorized Construction Control Department, along with zonal response teams, is executing the demolitions under the supervision of senior officials, including Additional Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Jambhale Patil and Deputy Commissioner Manoj Lonkar.
Strong Security Presence at Site
To maintain order and ensure the safety of the demolition teams, a significant police force has been deployed. Security arrangements include:
- 600 police officers
- 180 Maharashtra Security Force personnel
- 16 excavators, 8 JCBs, 1 crane, and 4 cutters
- Firefighting vehicles and ambulances on standby
Senior police officers, including Additional Police Commissioner Vasant Pardeshi and Deputy Commissioners of Police Swapna Gore, Dr. Shivaji Pawar, Sandeep Doiphode, and Vivek Patil, were present at the site.
Tears and Dust: The Human Cost of Demolition
At sunrise on Monday, 45-year-old Shanta More stood outside what used to be her small tailoring shop. The walls had been torn down, her sewing machines buried under debris.
“This shop was my everything. I raised my two children by stitching clothes for people in this very spot. Now, I don’t know where to go,” she said, holding back tears.
Like Shanta, hundreds of shopkeepers and factory owners watched as their investments were flattened by heavy machinery. Many had been operating for years, assuming their structures were safe, despite lacking proper permits.
Across the street, 60-year-old Ramesh Patil, who owned a small warehouse, shook his head as he pointed to the broken bricks and twisted metal that used to be his business.
“I knew it was illegal, but we had no choice. The city was growing, and we built what we could afford,” he said.
For many residents and business owners, these demolitions are more than just lost property; they represent broken dreams and uncertain futures.
A Deeper Issue: Why Illegal Constructions Flourish
The root of Kudalwadi’s illegal construction problem is complex. The area, located on the outskirts of Pune, has seen rapid industrial growth, attracting thousands of migrants and small businesses looking for affordable space.
However, with high real estate prices and slow government approvals, many resorted to constructing buildings without proper permissions.Urban planner and real estate expert Arvind Deshmukh explains:”The issue isn’t just about people breaking the law; it’s about the gaps in urban governance. When the approval process is slow and costly, people take shortcuts. Authorities also often turn a blind eye until the problem becomes too big to ignore.
“Locals claim that corruption plays a role in these encroachments. Some allege that they were assured by middlemen and even lower-level civic officials that their structures would not be touched in exchange for bribes. Now, with the crackdown in full force, they feel betrayed.”If the buildings were illegal, why did the authorities wait so many years? Why were we allowed to run our businesses without any problem until now?” asked a shopkeeper whose store was demolished on Monday.
Encroachment Clearance to Continue
PCMC has indicated that this is just the beginning, with the crackdown expected to continue until all unauthorized structures are removed. Officials have reiterated their commitment to reclaiming public land for planned urban expansion and infrastructure projects.
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