Pune: Major Anti-Encroachment Drive Near Shivajinagar Metro Station Clears Over 50 Unauthorized Huts and Other Structures
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out a major anti-encroachment drive on January 16, 2025, targeting unauthorized structures in key areas. Over 50 illegal huts behind the Civil Court Metro Station near Dengle Bridge and several encroachments in Kothrud’s Sutardara area were removed to address public grievances regarding blocked pedestrian paths and traffic congestion.
The operation, led by Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sapkal (Zone 2) and supervised by Assistant Commissioner Govind Dangat (Shivajinagar-Ghole Road Regional Office), began at 5:30 am and concluded by 10:00 am. The team, equipped with heavy machinery including two JCBs, a Hydra Crane, six tempo trucks, and 40 laborers, demolished unauthorized huts that had encroached upon Metro land near the Civil Court Metro Station. The recovered materials, such as wooden sheets, pigeon coops, and tin roofs, were handed over to the Pune Metro department.
Encroachments Cleared in Sutardara Area
Simultaneously, an anti-encroachment operation was carried out in the Sutardara area of Kothrud. Key locations such as Dattamandir Chowk, Char Nal Chowk, and Chhatrapati Shambhuraje Chowk were cleared of:
- 42 handcarts
- 5 stalls
- 5 iron counters
- 17 footpaths
- 27 sheds
The PMC’s Anti-Encroachment Department, along with Kothrud Police Station and Maharashtra Security Force, ensured smooth execution of the drive, improving pedestrian accessibility and easing traffic flow in these congested areas.
High-Level Oversight and Collaboration
The operation was prompted by dissatisfaction expressed by Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol and Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil during a meeting on January 4, 2025. The meeting, chaired by MP Muralidhar Mohol, emphasized the need for swift action against unauthorized hawkers and encroachments. Following the meeting, Pune Municipal Commissioner and Administrator issued directives to address the issue.
Impact and Future Plans
Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sapkal assured that the PMC’s anti-encroachment drives will continue across the city, aiming to restore public spaces and improve urban mobility. The collaboration between PMC and Pune Metro serves as a model for addressing encroachments effectively and reclaiming areas for public benefit.
