Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Building Department demolished 50,000-sq ft unauthorised construction on Wednesday in Koregaon Park.
The action was taken against the illegal construction on plot number 405 at the Sangamwadi TP Scheme in lane number 7. The unauthorised construction was a part of two hotels, commercial sheds and a cricket turf. Particularly, the civic body acted against these establishments immediately after a stay on the case was lifted by the court. Local residents expressed happiness as the encroachments were some years old.
The illegal construction belonged to Hotel Chul Mutton, Hotel Barmanka Café Kitchen, Palmoco Dine, Drinks, Dance, Puja Fruit and Vegetables, Laziz Chicken Center, Muscle Bar Gym and a Cricket Turf shed. They did not seek permission from the PMC while carrying out construction and setting up tin sheds. The civic body had already served notices to them. The owners had moved the court and brought a stay on the action.
The municipal corporation immediately took action after the stay was lifted by the court. Earth-moving machinery and a huge manpower was deployed to demolish the construction on Wednesday morning. The owners tried to resist the action. But civic workers razed the over 50,000-sq ft sheds amidst tight police security.
The hotel owners did not seek permission from the fire brigade. They did not even provide adequate parking space. Their customers were forced to park their vehicles on the roadside causing traffic issues. Local residents had to face problems due to the encroachments. The PMC started acting after receiving several complaints. Citizens expressed satisfaction after the civic action. They said that the civic administration should ensure that encroachments do not take place in the future.
Dilly-dallying over police protection
Earlier, a squad of the Building Department, along with the machinery, reached Koregaon Park in the morning. However, the Koregaon Police Station took time in providing security to civic workers. Later, Municipal Commissioner Dr Rajendra Bhosale contacted senior police officials and the police force was made available. This was revealed by civic employees.
