Unauthorised Road Digging in Bhosari: PCMC Takes Legal Action Against Builder

This irresponsible act has caused losses estimated at over Rs 2 crore to the municipal corporation.

13 June 2024

By Ishika Kumar

Bhosari: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on 12th June 2024 filed a complaint against a builder for unauthorised road digging in Bhosari, leading to significant ecological and financial damage. 

Despite a ban imposed on road excavations since 31st May due to the onset of the rainy season, the builder still undertook extensive digging activities, affecting a crucial 2-kilometre stretch.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh and City Engineer Makarand Nikam had issued a strict prohibition on road digging from 31st May onwards, warning that violations would result in criminal charges. In defiance of this directive, a builder working on a commercial complex near Bhosari proceeded to dig the roads to lay underground electric cables without securing the necessary permissions from the PCMC.

The unauthorised excavation covered a 1,580-metre stretch from Landewadi towards Nashik Phata Road. Moreover, the builder’s actions disrupted an Eco-Jogging track along the Pune-Nashik highway, leading to the felling of ten trees and considerable ecological damage. 

This irresponsible act has caused losses estimated at over Rs 2 crore to the municipal corporation.

Officials from the PCMC’s Building Permission Department, Civil Department, and Garden Department reportedly failed to notice these violations promptly. The Civil Department attributed this oversight to reduced manpower during the Lok Sabha elections. 

This negligence has raised concerns about accountability and enforcement within the PCMC.

Senior Police Inspector Ganesh Jamdar of the MIDC Bhosari Police Station confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against the builder and the electrical contractor involved. The investigation will determine the penalties, which will be based on the cost of road repairs and environmental restoration.

City Engineer Makarand Nikam emphasised that the Civil Department has documented a loss of approximately Rs 2 crore due to the unauthorised digging. He stated, “A case has been registered against the builder and contractor for unauthorised road digging. PCMC granted construction permission for the commercial complex in Nashik Phata, Kasarwadi, which is in its final stages. The total damage will be assessed in consultation with the Garden Department. If compensation is not provided, the project will not receive a certificate of construction completion.”

The Garden Department also reported significant losses due to the destruction of trees and the disruption of the Eco Jogging track, a popular local amenity. The combined financial impact points towards the importance of adhering to municipal regulations, especially during critical periods such as the monsoon season, when such lapses keep happening due to harsh weather conditions.

This incident has escalated the dire need for stricter monitoring and enforcement of municipal directives to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The PCMC’s swift action in filing a complaint and the ongoing investigation signal a commitment to upholding the city’s infrastructure and environmental integrity.

The builder’s disregard for the ban and subsequent environmental damage has sparked outrage among residents, localities and environmentalists. 

The PCMC’s efforts to hold the responsible parties accountable are crucial in maintaining public trust and ensuring that urban development adheres to all the legal and ecological standards mandated.

As the case progresses, the community and stakeholders will be closely watching the outcomes to see if justice is served and if preventive measures will be strengthened to avoid such breaches in the future. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between development and environmental preservation in rapidly growing urban areas and how even the slightest negligence in action can cause massive monetary loss.