Pune: 50 Unauthorized Huts Demolished Near Dengle Bridge, Encroachment Removed in Kothrud
Shivajinagar, 16th January 2025: In a major anti-encroachment drive, Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Zone 2 officials removed over 50 unauthorized huts from the area behind the Civil Court Metro Station near Dengle Bridge. Simultaneously, encroachments in the Sutardara area of Kothrud were also cleared, addressing long-standing complaints about blocked pedestrian paths and traffic congestion.
A growing number of huts had encroached upon the open space behind the Civil Court Metro Station within Zone 2, causing significant traffic congestion in the Dengle Bridge area. Acting on complaints, a team led by Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sapkal, equipped with JCB machines and other machinery, initiated the demolition operation at 5:30 am. By 10:00 am, more than 50 huts were cleared, reclaiming the area for public use.
Encroachments were also removed in the Sutardara area, covering key spots such as Dattamandir Chowk, Char Nal Chowk, and Chhatrapati Shambhuraje Chowk. With the support of PMC’s Anti-Encroachment Department (Zones Two and Three), Kothrud Police Station, and Maharashtra Security Force, the team dismantled:
- 42 handcarts
- 5 stalls
- 5 iron counters
- 17 footpaths
- 27 sheds
The operation ensured that roads and pedestrian paths were cleared, improving accessibility and reducing traffic congestion.
The extensive encroachments in Pune city have been a growing concern, obstructing pedestrian paths and slowing traffic movement. Union Minister of State Muralidhar Mohol and Minister of Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil had recently expressed their dissatisfaction over the issue, prompting the administration to take decisive action.
Deputy Commissioner Avinash Sapkal assured that the drive against road and footpath encroachments will continue across the city, aiming to restore public spaces and improve urban mobility.
