More than a year after the satellite survey of Pimpri Chinchwad’s red zone was completed in February 2024, the final demarcation map remains unfinished, causing widespread uncertainty among residents and halting key municipal processes.
The red zone extends up to 2,000 yards (1.82 km) from the Dehu Road Ordnance Factory Depot and 1,145 meters from the Dighi Magazine Depot, prohibiting all construction within its boundaries. However, the lack of an official map has left thousands of families in limbo, unsure of whether their homes fall within the restricted zone.
Delay is Affecting Development
The state government’s Land Records Department, in coordination with the Defence Department and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), conducted the survey at a cost of ₹1.13 crore. Authorities had initially promised to finalize the map within two months of the survey’s completion, but over a year later, there is still no clarity on the red zone’s exact boundaries.
Municipal officials state that without an official map, they cannot determine the number of affected homes or proceed with planning necessary actions. This delay has stalled building permits, tax collection, and infrastructure development, creating frustration among both residents and officials.
Unauthorized Construction Increase
Several areas, including Yamunanagar, Nigdi, Pradhikaran, Bhakti-Shakti Chowk, Rupinagar, Talwade, Tower Line, Krishnanagar, Sane Chowk, Chikhali, Dighi, Bhosari, Wadmukhwadi, Moshi, and Bopkhel, fall within the red zone. As a result, PCMC does not issue construction permits for these locations.
However, due to the prolonged delay, unauthorized construction has surged, leading to unplanned urban expansion and environmental deterioration. Illegal structures continue to rise, with land plots being divided and sold to unsuspecting buyers, increasing instances of financial fraud.
Once the red zone map is officially finalized and published, it is expected to put an end to such irregularities and provide much-needed clarity for affected residents and authorities.
