Legal Intervention Ensues Amid Concerns Over Encroachment and Safety Violations
In a significant move aimed at addressing safety concerns and ensuring compliance with regulations, the Bombay High Court has issued an order for the demolition of high-rise buildings located in the vicinity of the Pune International Airport. The court’s decision follows concerns raised regarding breaches of construction norms by the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations.
The directive mandates a comprehensive survey to identify unauthorized constructions near the airport area. The proliferation of tall buildings near defense-controlled zones has raised apprehensions about adherence to height restrictions, particularly concerning safety around crucial installations like the Pune International Airport.
The court’s intervention sets the stage for the demolition of high-rise structures not only near the airport but also in proximity to other defense establishments within the city. The Pune International Airport, a civil enclave operated by the Airports Authority of India, shares its space with the Lohegaon Air Force Station, underscoring the criticality of maintaining safety standards in the area.
This move echoes a similar directive by the high court to demolish 48 high-rise structures near Mumbai airport. The regulations prohibiting construction within 100 meters of airport border walls, instituted nationwide following the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force’s Pathankot Airbase in 2016, underscore the gravity of ensuring safety around such vital installations.
The Lohegaon Air Force Station, being a crucial security bastion in the central region, necessitates strict limitations on construction activities even within a radius of 900 meters due to the presence of sensitive installations.
Despite claims by the Pune Municipal Corporation’s building permission department of authorizing ongoing constructions due to no objection from the Air Force Station, the proximity of residential and commercial complexes dangerously close to the airport’s boundaries raises significant concerns.
In response to these developments, the high court has mandated a joint inspection by officials from both the defense force and the PMC building permission department to assess constructions within defense land limits. This collaborative effort aims to provide comprehensive insights to the court regarding the situation on the ground.
Legal proceedings initiated by social activists prompted the court’s intervention, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. Affidavits submitted during the hearings revealed the extent of unauthorized constructions near defense establishments, warranting immediate action to address safety concerns.
Furthermore, the court has placed responsibility on the district collector to oversee the survey of unauthorized constructions, emphasizing the encroachment upon defense territory as a critical matter.
In light of these developments, the defense ministry has called for filing FIRs against individuals involved in construction within restricted areas, urging civic bodies to uphold regulations and ensure the safety of vital installations.
