The Indian Express             14.06.2013

PMC lists dangerous structures on hills, tells occupants to vacate

For the first time, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is listing houses on hill slopes, legal or illegal, that may face danger in monsoon and serving occupants notices to vacate. The civic administration had so far been serving notices to citizens to vacate buildings that were dilapidated.

"The PMC chief has directed the city engineering department to identify structures on hill slopes that may face danger during monsoon. The water rushing downhill after heavy rain or a landslide could cause accidents," said Executive Engineer Sahebrao Dandge.

He said the administration is concentrating on dangerous structure on hill slopes notwithstanding their legal/ illegal status.

Dandge said the civic administration has categorically mentioned in the notice that there are fears of loss of lives and property in case of an accident during monsoon. Thus, occupants of the said structures should vacate the property immediately.

The drive is on in the hills across the city and the administration has identified 25 structures in Baner alone. The more serious situation is on hills in Warje, Parvati, Bibewadi, Gokhalenagar, Taljai, Dhankawadi, Ambegaon, Vadgaon Buhruk, Yerawada and Hadapsar.

"The survey is on in Parvati and other hills. It would take time to identify them and serve notice to vacate them. This is the first time such steps are being taken and that is why there is no such information available earlier with the civic administration," said civic officer.

The PMC has also undertaken a drive to pull down dillapidated wadas, old structures, in the city that may pose a danger to residents. There are around 22 such structures that need to be demolished and the civic administration has already urged owners to vacate them and bring the structures down.

Meanwhile, the civic administration replying to a query on buildings given permission by diverting the flow of nullahs and water bodies has revealed that there are around 20 such buildings where the administration has allowed construction after getting the nullah diverted. The issue of encroachment on nullah leading to flash floods was raised a few years ago after residents faced floods.