Pune: Wakad Demolition Drive: 137 Illegal Sheds and 18 Houses Razed for Road Widening By PCMC
Pune: Wakad Demolition Drive: 137 Illegal Sheds and 18 Houses Razed for Road Widening By PCMC
Pimpri-Chinchwad: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) undertook a major demolition drive on unauthorized constructions along the 45-meter-wide Wakad Datta Mandir Road. The drive targeted illegal commercial sheds and residential structures obstructing the proposed road widening project. Over three days, 137 commercial sheds and 18 houses, including single-story and multi-story structures, were demolished.
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) conducted an anti-encroachment drive on Datta Mandir Road in Wakad. Residents were notified two months in advance, and announcements were made using loudspeakers before the action, according to a municipal official at the scene.… pic.twitter.com/paG6qdBsdH
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) January 8, 2025
The demolition was carried out under the jurisdiction of the “D” Regional Office of PCMC, following multiple notices issued since August 14, 2024. Property owners were asked to remove unauthorized constructions, but many failed to comply. A final public notice issued on January 3, 2025, warned residents about the impending demolition starting January 6. Despite the warnings, the illegal structures were not vacated, leading to the action.
On the first day, 70 commercial sheds were demolished, followed by residential buildings on subsequent days. The operation cleared approximately 62,000 square meters of encroached land using two JCBs, two Poclain machines, and two breaker machines. City Engineer Makarand Nikam confirmed the details, adding that the demolition proceeded smoothly without any untoward incidents due to the presence of a heavy police force.
The road-widening project is expected to ease traffic congestion in the Wakad area and improve connectivity.
