PCMC launches crackdown against illegal disposal of scrap and shops

Following frequent fires reported at illegal dumping sites and shops, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has launched a drive to demolish illegal dumping sites and shops, officials said on Friday.

Between December 18 and 20, NGOs excavated 2,31,099 square feet of illegal structures on Kudalwadi, Chikhali and Dehu-Alandi roads among other areas. Illegal construction included housing construction, brick structures and tin sheds. All structures have been cleared from the proposed DP roads, officials said.

Hindustan Times had earlier published a News article titled “20 illegal dumping sites to be demolished in first phase of demolition in Kudalwada” about certain actions taken by PCMC. The public organization decided to demolish these illegal objects in two stages. At the first stage, about 20 such objects located on 18-meter protected roads will be demolished. The remaining 50 units operating from the reserved land will be demolished in the second phase.

The drive was conducted on the instructions of Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Additional Commissioner Pradeep Jambhale-Patil and City Engineers Makarand Nikam and Manoj Lonkar (Deputy Commissioner), officials said in a statement issued on Friday.

“On Friday, an anti-encroachment action was held in department No. 2 of the RU K. The operation included removal of unauthorized structures along the 24 meter wide (300 meter long) DP road from Sriram Chowk to Raviranjan Weighing Scale and the 30 meter wide (550 meter long) DP road from Visava Chowk to Dehu-Alandi Road,” Jambhale said. -Patil, Additional Municipal Commissioner PCMC.

“During the operation, approximately 1,614 square feet of concrete structures were demolished, along with 43,055 square feet of brick structures and sheds,” Jambhale-Patil added.

The anti-encroachment drive was supported by 56 members of the Maharashtra security forces and 12 officers and staff of the Chihli police station. IPC consultants Sagar Jajindre and Rajkumar Malgunde were part of the operational team. During the action, three pokelans, one JCB and two trucks were involved.

Shekhar Singh, municipal commissioner, PCMC, said, “Residents should avoid unauthorized construction such as sheds and buildings without prior permission from the municipal corporation. Actions to combat encroachments will continue on a regular basis in various areas of the city.”