The Indian Express 14.04.2013
PCMC begins razing illegal structures falling within floodline
After going slow on its demolition drive, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal administration has now decided to hammer down illegal structures located within the floodlines.
The PCMC has been forced to up its drive after the state government directive in the wake of the Thane incident that killed 75 people.
On Friday, PCMC's Anti-Encroachment Squad started its demolition drive along the river at Kalewadi. As many as seven buildings belonging to various builders were flattened.
Officials said the buildings will be razed on priority as per the municipal commissioner's directive. Officials added the drive was suspended for three week as police protection was not available.
After the Thane incident, Municipal Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi had said that the PCMC would make a list of 'dangerous' structures and raze them. The state government had directed action against 'dangerous building.'
Officials said before monsoon, buildings located close to rivers and violate the floodline norms will be razed on priority.
Earlier, the civic chief had promised that his administration would take action against all illegal structures. Civic activists said most of the structures are located in Pimpri, Chinchwad, Kasarwadi, Gurav Pimple, Sangvi and other areas.
Religious structures have also come up without PCMC's permit along the rivers where huge crowds gather. Most of these structures use electricity illegally.
"What is shocking is that despite the commissioner's directive, power and water are freely available for these religious structures. The religious structures take power from the nearest pole which is potentially very dangerous," said activist Sachin Godambe.
Activists said the religious structures enjoy political patronage and PCMC officials are afraid of taking action against them.
Meanwhile, the state government has rejected the proposal put forth by the Pimpri Chinchwad New Town Development Authority (PCNTDA) to regularise 15,029 illegal structures in Nigdi, Bhosari, Wakad, Thergaon, Rahatani and Chikhali. A PCNTDA spokesperson said, "Now that the government has disapproved the proposal, these houses are likely to be demolished soon."
However, senior offiicals said the PCNTDA would again request the state to regularise the structures after levying fines. "We hope the government will see reason behind our request," officials said.
PCNTDA had sent the proposal to regularise these houses, to the state government, on December 28, 2011.
These structures have been constructed on PCNTDA reserved land. The proposal to regularise these houses has been pending with the state government for the last 15 months.
