Pune: Bombay High Court Rejects Plea of Illegal Scrap Dealers in Kudalwadi Demolition Case
Pimpri Chinchwad, 15th February 2025: The Bombay High Court on Friday dismissed a petition filed by scrap dealers and owners of unauthorized industrial units in Kudalwadi, who sought relief from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) ongoing demolition drive.
The petitioners had requested additional time to relocate and urged the court to direct the state government and the civic body’s urban development department to formulate policies for their rehabilitation.
The court, however, ruled in favor of the municipal corporation, stating that “illegal constructions cannot be protected under the guise of seeking relocation.”
Over the past week, PCMC has taken down 4,031 unauthorized structures, including scrap godowns, makeshift industrial units, and tin sheds, covering nearly 791 acres in Kudalwadi and Chikhali.
Speaking about the action, a senior PCMC official said, “These structures were erected without necessary permissions from the building permission department. Many were operating without fire safety compliance, labour regulations, or environmental clearances from the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.”
PCMC has been cracking down on unauthorized businesses that pose a risk to public safety and violate municipal norms. Authorities emphasized that such illegal setups not only contribute to pollution but also create hazardous working conditions.
A municipal official further added, “The civic administration had issued multiple notices, yet many continued operations without rectifying violations. The court’s decision reinforces our commitment to maintaining law and order in urban development.”
