PCMC’s Anti-Encroachment Drive In Chikhali Leaves 1 Lakh Jobless, Businesses In Crisis
PCMC’s Anti-Encroachment Drive In Chikhali Leaves 1 Lakh Jobless, Businesses In Crisis
The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has intensified its anti-encroachment drive in Chikhali, leaving nearly 1 lakh workers jobless and disrupting the local business landscape. Over the past five days, bulldozers have razed scrap shops, warehouses, and small businesses that supported the region’s automobile industry with a turnover of ₹1,000 crore. As a result, many families have lost their primary source of income, leading to severe financial distress.
The drive, which started on February 8, targeted unauthorized structures in areas like Kudalwadi, Jadhavwadi, Hargudewasti, and Pawarwasti. More than 5,000 establishments received 15-day notices to clear encroachments. The operation is set to conclude by February 16.
Residents have compared the destruction to the devastation of the Killari earthquake, highlighting the financial turmoil and rising unemployment. Authorities fear an increase in crime due to the economic hardship. The disruption has also halted the supply of raw materials to small industries, impacting businesses in cities like Jalna, Surat, Mumbai, and Nashik.
Builders Eyeing Prime Land
Chikhali and Kudalwadi, located near key infrastructure projects like the police commissionerate and district court, have seen land prices soar. With 1,000 acres cleared, builders are keen to acquire the land, prompting locals to question whether the drive benefits developers more than the public.
Economic Crisis for Locals
Local villagers, who leased land to businesses and earned substantial rental income, are now facing financial hardship as their income has stopped abruptly.
Infrastructure Disruptions
The drive has caused the shutdown of roads, electricity, water, and mobile networks, leaving residents struggling to meet daily needs.
Tragic Incidents
The stress of the demolitions has taken a toll. A worker died after falling from a shed, and two entrepreneurs were hospitalized following heart attacks.
With 300 acres already cleared and 1,511 structures demolished, concerns persist about the true motives behind the operation and its long-term impact on the community.
