Pune: Illegal Structures Demolished on Mahatma Tekdi by PMC

Kothrud, 30th November 2024: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Friday demolished illegal structures and excavated approximately three acres of land on Mahatma Tekdi, a protected hilltop-hillslope zone near Shani Mandir in Kothrud. The operation began at noon following complaints from local residents and environmental activists.

Over the past week, members of the Kothrud Mohalla Committee and regular visitors to the hill noticed earth movers and trucks clearing land where jungle cats, a rare species, were reportedly spotted by ecologists. Acting on these alerts, PMC officials intervened and took action to halt the illegal activity.

“We received several complaints about ongoing construction work on Tuesday. Upon inspection, we found that the land was within the hilltop-hillslope zone, where construction is prohibited. The plot owner claimed the sheds were being built for watchmen to prevent encroachments, but the structures were unauthorized,” said an official from PMC’s building permissions department.

Avinash Kamthe, Deputy Engineer in the department, stated, “We immediately issued a 24-hour demolition notice and coordinated with the local police to ensure the removal of earth movers and trucks from the site.”

Local residents and environmentalists have voiced concerns over increasing encroachments on Mahatma Tekdi, which they say are endangering its biodiversity and natural landscape.

Residents point out that Mahatma Tekdi has been subjected to repeated encroachments in the past. Parts of the hill were previously leveled for bullock cart races, and a pigsty was constructed illegally. Despite earlier actions by the PMC, the structures remain.