PCMC Pune to Demolish 250 Constructions within Red Zone
As per a survey conducted by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), there are over 4,000 constructions in the radius of 1,145 meters of Dighi magazine depot near Bhosari. While the area up to 1,145 metres around the depot is a no-development zone, the civic authorities are planning to take action against constructions which are within the radius of 610 metres. On the other hand, residents and political leaders in the area have been demanding that the radius is reduced further. The number of constructions within 610 metre radius comes to around 250.
Pune divisional commissioner Dilip Band has directed the PCMC to take action against these 250-odd constructions. The matter was discussed in a meeting presided over by Band on Wednesday. Municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma and defence officials also attended the meeting. Meanwhile, the PCMC has served notices to the owners of the 250-odd constructions asking them to remove the constructions on their own. It has sought police security for taking action against the constructions. Dilip Kudale, coordinator, engineering department, PCMC said the civic will carry out the action as soon as it gets police security.
About 250-odd houses and constructions, which came up within the no-development zone (Red Zone), in the 610 metre radius of the Dighi magazine depot near Bhosari are likely to be demolished. The red zone is an area surrounding a military establishment where civil constructions are not allowed.
Vilas Lande, independent MLA from Bhosari assembly constituency said the 250-odd constructions should not be removed unless the owners are paid compensation. Lande said he has made a demand to Band in this regard.
Sharma said the draft Development Plan of the newly-merged villages was prepared in 2000. None had then raised objections about the constructions in the no-development zone. The new DP was approved in 2009. But, it does not have any mention of the restrictions in the no-development zone. Band said a report recommending that the limits of the no-development zone be reduced from 1,145 to 645 metres would be sent to the defence ministry. A similar recommendation about reduction in the no-development zone around the Dehu Ordnance Depot (DOD) will also be made, he said.
Sharma added that a fresh notification on the no-development zone will be issued. When a notification of such zone is issued by the Union government, an officer must be appointed, who conducts a survey of the affected areas, demarcates the affected land, and compensation is given to the owners. But no such process has been completed, he said.
Times of India
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