Pune: Engineers to Be Held Accountable for Illegal Constructions, Says PMC Standing Committee

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 6th March 2026: The Standing Committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has directed the civic administration to fix responsibility on municipal engineers for illegal constructions in the city and take strict action against those found negligent.

Standing Committee Chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the decision was taken during the committee’s meeting held on Thursday. Addressing reporters after the meeting, Bhimale said illegal constructions often come to the administration’s notice only after the structures are completed, leading to delayed action.

He said the committee has instructed officials to stop illegal constructions at the initial stage itself, particularly when the foundation is being laid. “When multi-storey illegal buildings are coming up, it raises serious questions about how officials from the building department and other concerned staff fail to notice them,” Bhimale said.

The issue came up for discussion after the civic body carried out a demolition drive in Lohgaon and Viman Nagar on Wednesday, where several illegal constructions were razed. Some of the structures were reportedly four to five storeys high.

Bhimale said engineers and officials responsible for the areas where illegal constructions occur should be held accountable. “Officials must keep a close watch on their jurisdictions on a daily basis. If illegal constructions come up in their areas, the concerned officers will be held responsible and action will be taken,” he said.

The committee has also directed officials from the building department and regional offices to conduct regular inspections in their respective areas. They have been asked to carry out surveys and submit reports every 15 days. The building department will also have to submit these reports to the Standing Committee for review.

Bhimale added that elected representatives are not supporting illegal constructions and that no one would oppose civic action against such violations.