Pune: ‘Demolished’ Furniture Showrooms Still Attracting ‘Old Customers’
Bavdhan, 2nd December 2023: Despite the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) action on furniture showrooms along the Mumbai-Bengaluru Highway due to encroachment, a significant crowd of customers was observed yesterday. There were speculations among citizens that the recovered goods might be available for sale.
Salesmen from the affected showrooms claimed that the crowd comprised ‘old customers’ checking if their goods were in order. However, due to the crackdown, some people were hopeful of discounted sales by desperate traders. A few even made purchases on the spot based on the items available.
PMC carried out a significant drive to demolish illegal structures near Pashan and Bavdhan on the highway, covering an area of one lakh square feet controlled by the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL). The action, prompted by complaints from HEMRL, took place on Thursday and involved heavy machinery. Videos of the demolition circulated on social media as the PMC aimed to address concerns raised over the past year. Hinjawadi police provided security during the operation.
A matter of grave concern arises from the aftermath of the action, as the showrooms are now in a severely compromised state, with substantial damage inflicted on the property. The iron sheds, now haphazardly stacked on one another, pose a significant risk. The presence of people congregating underneath adds to the peril. The slightest disturbance could potentially lead to the collapse of the sheds, resulting in significant damage and, worst-case scenario, endangering lives.
