The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is dealing with an onslaught of illegal buildings along the Pavana, Indrayani, and Mula-Mutha rivers’ floodplains, endangering both the environment and poor people.
Mrudula Narale
Pune | May 19, 2025: Despite a Supreme Court-ordered demolition of 36 unauthorized bungalows in Chikhali’s Indrayani flood zone, over 3,000 illegal structures—ranging from luxury hotels and farmhouses to commercial sheds and residential buildings—continue to thrive, fueled by alleged political patronage. As monsoon floods displace thousands annually, the PCMC faces mounting pressure to act decisively against these encroachments while navigating political interference. A detailed survey conducted by the PCMC’s encroachment department detected 2,917 unauthorized buildings, of which 1,508 were residential and 1,382 commercial such as furniture showrooms, nurseries, and workshops. These buildings, many of them earning significant rental values, have continued despite eight months having elapsed after notices were put up. Illegal landfilling, dumping of debris, and unapproved plotting within the blue lines of the flood zones have also added to the crisis, constricting the riverbeds and increasing the flood risk. Last monsoon, more than 7,000 families were forced out of their homes as floodwaters overflowed into housing and slums, compounded by construction rubble and trash chocking the rivers.
The PCMC had scheduled an enforcement drive prior to the Assembly polls, mobilizing police assistance to clear encroachments. But political compulsions allegedly came in the way, and large-scale commercial and residential constructions went untouched. Whereas recent demolitions in Wakad’s Datta Mandir Road and localities such as Chikhli and Kudalewadi destroyed 830 scrap shops, tin sheds, and warehouses, clearing 87 lakh square feet, high-volume encroachments by high-end developers along the riverbeds are still standing. This selective destruction has pushed thousands of families out of smaller buildings while leaving richer offenders untouched.
Environmentalists and locals are calling for prompt demolitions to reclaim riverbanks and check flooding. The uncontrolled proliferation of illegal plotting and fictitious land deals, frequently supported by political networks, has cheated buyers and promoted financial exploitation. Hotels, garages, bakeries, and farmhouses brazenly encroach upon riverbeds, but the PCMC has taken its time to tackle these high-stakes encroachments, casting doubts over administrative impartiality.
As Pune’s rivers get constricted under the burden of illegal development, the PCMC’s resolve to clear non-residential buildings obstructing the flow of water is a step in the right direction. Phased removal of residential buildings and effective action against powerful encroachers, however, are key to preventing future calamities. With the city’s flood plains strained, urgent steps to reclaim riverbanks and check land scams are needed to safeguard citizens and restore nature’s balance.
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