This also resulted in a debate between
elected representatives on Saturday as the general body was adjourned
for two weeks. NCP corporator Shantaram Bhalekar from Talawade village
said the civic body is sending notices to the people through police with
instructions to vacate their houses in a week. There have been
instances of water connections being snapped in several areas.

Bhalekar demanded adjournment for two weeks which was seconded by
corporator Gorakhsha Lokhande. Some corporators wanted a chance to
speak, but mayor Mohini Lande said that as per the decision taken at the
NCP party meeting, the general body meeting was adjourned. Earlier, the
NCP party meeting was stormy as ruling party leader Mangala Kadam
decided there will be no discussion about unauthorized construction.

Some corporators, however, opposed Kadam’s call and said they be
allowed to speak in the general body. Later, speaking to TOI, Lande said
the civic administration must be sympathetic towards the poor people
who have built small houses for themselves though without permission.
Municipal commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi said, “The civic administration
serves notices directly to the owners of unauthorized constructions that
were built after March 31, 2012. But if our officials think they could
be threatened, they seek police help to serve the notices.

The
civic body is demolishing unauthorized constructions directly which have
been built after April 1, 2012 and are not occupied by anyone. But in
cases where such constructions are built after April 1, 2012, but are
occupied, the civic body sends notices to the people directing them to
vacate the premises so that it can be demolished and they do not suffer
any damages.”

Pardeshi added that Pimpri Chinchwad is different
from cities like Pune which also have large number of unauthorized
constructions, because the high court %through its first order on
February 3, 2011, had ordered the PCMC to demolish unauthorized
constructions in its municipal limits. “A period of more than two years
has lapsed since then. Any new construction can be built in a few months
to two years.

The people know about the high court directive
as the civic administration had started taking action against
unauthorized constructions after this directive. So nobody can claim
that he is unaware of the high court order,” said APardeshi.