PUNE: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has set up a dedicated vigilance squad to oversee its staff for any lapses related to illegal building activities. This initiative aims to curb unauthorized development in its early stages, according to a senior civic official.
On Wednesday, PCMC’s municipal commissioner, Shekhar Singh, led a review meeting with zonal officers and beat inspectors to address various issues, including illegal constructions, encroachments on footpaths and drainage systems, unregulated vegetable markets, and unauthorized religious structures.
Singh emphasized the need for immediate action to stop unauthorized development early on and warned that negligence in enforcement would not be tolerated. “Failure to report violations in a timely manner will result in disciplinary measures, including suspension of the responsible officials,” he stated.
He also mandated that notices issued to those violating construction laws must have a compliance deadline of 24 hours. A follow-up review is scheduled for next week, and officers must demonstrate visible results.
Maval MP Shrigang Barne insisted that the municipal corporation recoup costs for the machinery, manpower, and police protection needed for demolitions from PCMC officials who ignored unauthorized constructions. “These officials tend to overlook construction activities until it’s too late, causing financial hardship for misled citizens,” he explained.
Barne criticized the practice of issuing demolition orders only after a structure is fully built, labeling it as indicative of the commissioner’s inexperience.
A senior PCMC official noted that it is common for inspectors or their superiors to either ignore illegal construction or merely issue notices, allowing unwarranted building activities to continue.
The newly formed five-member vigilance squad will investigate such complaints and provide comprehensive reports to facilitate action against negligent officials.
Residents frequently report ongoing illegal constructions through the Saarthi helpline or escalate their issues to senior authorities when their concerns are unaddressed. Such complaints will be forwarded to the vigilance team for investigation, leading to appropriate actions based on their findings.
Recently, municipal officials demolished an unauthorized 1,200 sq. ft. two-story building in the Rahatani area.
Earlier this year, PCMC dismantled over 4,000 industrial units and scrap godowns that had been illegally constructed over the past forty years in the Kudalwadi area. Additionally, 36 bungalows illegally located in the blue flood line of the Indrayani River were demolished. PCMC faced criticism for its inaction during the construction phases, with allegations of delayed responses. “This new initiative is focused on preventing illegal structures from arising instead of demolishing them afterwards,” stated a PCMC official.
