PUNE: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued new directives for developers regarding the safe demolition of properties slated for redevelopment.
As per the PMC’s recently released guidelines, developers are required to notify both the fire brigade and adjacent property owners during the demolition of older structures. If there’s a risk of damage to neighboring properties, those premises must be vacated.
“New building permissions are contingent upon strict adherence to the PMC’s regulations for safe and secure demolitions. Developers must submit photographic evidence of compliance,” stated Rajesh Bankar, a senior official in the PMC’s building permission department.
In addition to informing the fire brigade, local police and neighbors must receive formal written notifications about any demolition activities. A security guard must be stationed at the site around the clock. Furthermore, approval from a structural engineer is also mandatory for demolition.
According to PMC officials, developers must ensure that debris from demolished properties is transported safely. The guidelines specify that vehicles carrying debris must be covered with green cloth.
“Redevelopment activities in our area often occur without following proper norms. In the past, there have been incidents leading to damage to nearby properties. The administration should take measures to prevent such occurrences,” expressed A. S. Dixit, a resident of Kothrud.
Ketan Kulkarni, a resident of Prabhat Road, added, “Many of these properties are located in narrow lanes, leading to pollution from the movement of heavy vehicles for redevelopment.”
Data from the PMC reveals that 1,709 building permits were granted in the financial year 2023-24, compared to 956 in the previous year. The administration generated ₹1,636 crore from permissions in the 2022-23 fiscal year.
As of March 31, the building permission department had approved 3,359 proposals in the 2024-25 financial year, raising around ₹2,600 crore. The PMC has set a target of ₹2,492.83 crore from building permissions for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
