831 Notices, 9 Lakh Sq Ft Demolished—Yet Pune’s Illegal Construction Continues

Pune, 11th July 2026: Illegal multi-storey buildings continue to mushroom across Pune’s suburban areas, with developers allegedly taking advantage of delayed and ineffective civic enforcement to lure homebuyers with low-cost apartments. While the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has intensified demolition drives, many flats are sold before action is taken, leaving unsuspecting buyers to suffer heavy financial losses.

The issue has become increasingly prominent in newly merged areas of Pune, where rapid urban expansion and the absence of approved development plans have created opportunities for unauthorised construction.

Illegal Construction Expanding in Newly Merged Areas
Pune’s municipal limits now cover approximately 488 sq. km., including 23 villages that were merged into the PMC to ensure planned urban development and regulate construction activity. However, despite these areas coming under the civic body’s jurisdiction, several localities continue to witness rampant illegal construction.

Areas such as Manjari, Wagholi, Narhe, Dhayari, Ambegaon, Undri, Pisoli, Uttam Nagar, Shivane, and other suburban pockets have seen a surge in unauthorised residential buildings.

Cheap Flats Attract Buyers
With property prices in Pune soaring, even a one-bedroom apartment (1 BHK) in many parts of the city now costs around Rs 50 lakh or more. This has pushed many middle- and lower-income families to look for more affordable housing options.

Taking advantage of this demand, some developers are reportedly offering flats in unauthorised buildings for Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh, significantly below prevailing market rates. Attracted by the lower prices, many buyers purchase these properties without verifying the legal status of the project.

However, when the PMC eventually demolishes such structures, the homebuyers—not the developers—are left to bear the financial loss, as builders often do not refund the money collected from purchasers.

PMC Demolishes Over 9 Lakh Sq Ft of Illegal Construction
According to PMC data, the civic body issued 831 notices against unauthorised constructions between April 1 and June 30 this year.
During the same three-month period, the PMC demolished 9,04,257 square feet of illegal construction. Despite these enforcement measures, unauthorised buildings continue to come up in several suburban areas, with many projects reportedly being sold even after notices are issued.

Delayed Action Raises Concerns
Officials issue notices directing developers to stop construction as soon as violations are detected. However, residents and observers allege that delays in enforcement allow developers to complete buildings, sell flats, and facilitate occupancy before demolition action is carried out.

By the time civic authorities arrive with demolition squads, many families have already invested their life savings and moved into the buildings, only to face eviction and demolition later.

PMC Urges Buyers to Verify Documents
The PMC has appealed to citizens to thoroughly verify all legal documents before purchasing property, particularly in suburban areas.
Prospective buyers should check:
Whether the project has a valid building permission issued by the PMC.
Whether the sanctioned building plans bear the official municipal seal.
Whether the project has received all mandatory approvals.

The civic body has also advised buyers to treat unusually low-priced properties with caution and verify the project’s legality with the PMC’s Building Permission Department before making any purchase.

City Engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar said the PMC is continuing its action against unauthorised constructions.

“The Pune Municipal Corporation is taking action against illegal constructions. Citizens should verify all documents before purchasing homes in suburban areas. Unauthorised buildings are demolished by the PMC, and therefore people should avoid buying such properties,” Pawaskar said.
The growing number of illegal constructions has once again highlighted the need for stricter enforcement and quicker action against errant developers, while underlining the importance of due diligence by homebuyers before investing in residential properties.