Pune: The Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA), in collaboration with multiple government agencies, is carrying out a massive encroachment clearance operation to alleviate traffic congestion in Pune and its surrounding areas. The initiative has successfully completed two phases, and as of March 26, authorities have cleared 4,250 encroachments in the third phase.
This coordinated action involves PMRDA, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad police, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public Works Department (PWD), Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB), among others. The ongoing drive has also led to voluntary removal of illegal structures by several encroachers.
Encroachment clearance efforts are currently focused on key highway corridors, including Pune-Satara Road (Navale Bridge to Sarole), Hadapsar (Shewalwadi) to Dive Ghat, Navlakh Umbre to Chakan, and Hinjawadi-Maan Road. Between March 17 and 26, authorities have demolished 750 unauthorized structures, including illegal shops, tin sheds, kiosks, and other encroachments along state and national highways.
The next phase of demolition is scheduled to begin on March 28, targeting encroachments along Pune-Nagar Road (Shikrapur to Shirur) and Bavdhan Budruk to NDA Road (Bakaji Corner to the crematorium). PMRDA Commissioner Dr. Yogesh Mhase has urged encroachers to voluntarily remove unauthorized structures and comply with legal building regulations. He also emphasized the necessity of obtaining prior approvals for any new construction.
This extensive drive is being carried out under the leadership of Dr. Yogesh Mhase (PMRDA Commissioner), Additional Police Commissioner Manoj Patil, Superintendent of Police and Vigilance Officer Amol Tambe, and other senior officials.
Key figures involved in the operation include Dr. Deepti Suryawanshi-Patil (Joint Commissioner, PMRDA), Sanjay Kadam (NHAI Project Director), Pramod Kudale (Deputy Collector), Bapu Bangar (Deputy Commissioner, Traffic Department), Shailaja Patil (Executive Engineer), Sadanand Litke (Executive Engineer), Ravindra Ranjane (Tahsildar), Sachin Mhaske, and Police Inspector Maheshkumar Saratape.
