Pune: PCMC Issues Notices to Remove 1700 Illegal Structures in Chikhali and Kudalwadi
Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has initiated a crackdown on 1,700 illegal scrap yards, warehouses, and makeshift sheds in Chikhali and Kudalwadi, issuing demolition notices to property owners. These establishments, located on development plan (DP) roads and in residential zones, lack essential fire safety measures, posing significant public safety risks.
Frequent fire incidents, including a blaze on January 1 this year that gutted three scrap shops, have heightened concerns. Earlier, on December 9, a major fire destroyed at least 40 such establishments, requiring two days of fire department intervention. PCMC officials cited repeated fire outbreaks, air and water pollution, and public health hazards from toxic emissions as reasons for the decisive action.
Many of these structures, operating without permits for years, employ around 60,000 to 70,000 people. Environmentalists and residents have long demanded stricter regulations due to the hazardous conditions and pollution caused by these scrap yards.
PCMC, in coordination with the fire department, plans to seal establishments failing to secure mandatory fire safety certifications. Notices have also been issued to over 1,000 illegal structures in Kudalwadi’s scrap market, warning owners to remove the structures within two weeks or face demolition. Last month, the civic body demolished over 150 unauthorized constructions, including 38 RCC and 116 brick structures.
A senior PCMC official stated that property tax data was being used to identify property owners who failed to cooperate during the notice issuance. The Supreme Court’s observation that owners should be given a 15-day notice period before demolition has also been followed.
This demolition drive marks the first large-scale action against illegal structures in the core areas of the Kudalwadi scrap market, emphasizing the importance of urban safety and regulatory compliance.
