There has been a 120 per cent increase in illegal constructions in the district post the Regional Plan of 1997, in which 1.13 lakh illegal constructions were listed in the district. At present, the district collectorate estimates around 2.5 lakh illegal constructions in the district with large-scale growth in the fringe areas.
State additional chief secretary (UDD) T C Benjamin said, “In Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, illegal structures are mushrooming in the fringe areas. While municipal corporations have dedicated officers to take action against encroachments, such machinery does not exist for the district collector. The state has intervened and now, action will be taken against all illegal constructions.’’ He said the UDD had already planned steps to regulate constructions under the Development Control Rules within a 10 -km radius of municipal limits.
District collector Vikas Deshmukh said“illegal construction was rampant not only in the district but throughout the state. The case of Haveli taluka was considered but the action plan will be also prepared for key regions. Man power, machinery and the action plan will be prepared as per the state government’s directives,’’.
Pune district administration has already listed 8,853 illegal structures in 13 talukas, with Maval and Haveli topping the list. Of these, 3,634 have been issued notices while offences have been registered in 6,019 cases. Only two have been regularised.
