The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) has escalated efforts to curb the proliferation of unauthorized constructions within its limits. In a recent development, PMRDA has written to the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), urging them not to supply power to such unauthorized structures as part of their strategy to bring them under control.
The PMRDA, responsible for overseeing 814 villages across various talukas, including Haveli, Maval, Mulshi, Khed, Shirur, Daund, Velhe, Purandar, and Bhor, has been grappling with unauthorized constructions due to a shortage of manpower. The anti-encroachment department’s efforts are hindered by the sheer scale of the issue. Consequently, the authority has turned to MSEDCL, seeking their cooperation in halting the growth of unauthorized constructions by discontinuing power supply.
Simultaneously, the PMRDA is encouraging individuals to regularize unauthorized structures through the Gunthewari scheme. Despite setting a deadline of March 31, 2024, for regularization, the response has been minimal over the past one-and-a-half months. Faced with this challenge, the PMRDA has now sought the support of MSEDCL in their mission to control unauthorized constructions.
Sunil Marale, the joint director for planning at PMRDA, stated, “We wrote a letter to the chief engineer of the Pune Circle at MSEDCL. We have asked MSEDCL to provide electricity only to those structures which have permission from the PMRDA for their layout/construction.”
Rajendra Pawar, chief engineer of the Pune Circle at MSEDCL, emphasized the importance of electricity, stating, “According to the Supreme Court, we cannot refuse to provide it to anyone. However, if someone hasn’t paid their electricity bills, we have the right to disconnect their power supply. If PMRDA officials inform us about a construction that has started without their permission, we will stop supplying power to it.”
In this joint effort, PMRDA and MSEDCL aim to deter unauthorized constructions and ensure compliance with regulations, promoting planned and sustainable urban development.
