Pune: Now Builders and Land Owners Offering Compensation to Save Face After PCMC’s Demolition Drive in Chikhali’s River Villa Housing Society

Reported by Varad Bhatkhande
Pimpri-Chinchwad, 19th May 2025: A new ‘development’ has emerged in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) demolition drive targeting 36 bungalows in Chikhali’s River Villa Housing Society, located within the blue flood line of the Indrayani River.

According to sources, the land plot owners and developers, all connected to political parties, involved in the original construction are now attempting to distance themselves from the controversy. In a bid to contain the fallout and manage affected residents, they are reportedly offering compensation to those rendered homeless by the demolitions.

This situation has sparked outrage among the residents, many of whom allege that the PCMC’s actions have been arbitrary, cruel, and lacking in due process. A bungalow owner, speaking on the condition of anonymity, shared harrowing details with Punekar News, shedding light on what they describe as the ruthless and inhumane execution of the demolition orders.

“The action taken by PCMC was extremely ruthless and unfair,” the resident said. “We had been living in that area for the last 2 to 3 years and were suddenly asked to vacate within just two days. Back in December, we received a notice, but since then, there have been multiple court proceedings. The Supreme Court of India had granted a stay order. However, once the stay was lifted, PCMC was given six months to act. Instead, they moved within days. We were in the process of filing a review petition, but before we could take any legal steps, our homes were razed.”

The resident further alleged that the civic body showed no compassion during the process. “PCMC acted inhumanely,” they said. “Without any prior notice, our electricity and water supply were cut off a few days before the demolition. We pleaded with them for just a few more days, something well within their authority to grant, but they refused. With no electricity or water, we were forced to start shifting immediately. Even then, complete shifting wasn’t possible.

He further stated that he had taken a loan of over Rs 1 crore for the property and had repaid only about 25% so far. Now, with the house gone, the debt still remains. “I will now be paying installments for the rest of my life,” the citizen told Punekar News.

In a particularly distressing instance, the resident described how even humanitarian appeals were ignored. “One of our neighbors had a wedding in the family. We begged the authorities to allow the newlyweds and their families to stay a few extra days, but they said they didn’t care.”

PCMC’s Way of ‘Collection’

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh confirmed that the costs of demolition and related actions would be recovered from the bungalow owners, in line with the civic body’s standing policy on such matters. Responding to this, the resident said, “On the day of the demolition, thousands of police personnel and officials were deployed, for just 36 bungalows. Why such a large force? We weren’t even resisting; we had already accepted our fate. Yet PCMC wants to recover the cost of the demolition and the operation from us, despite having wasted so much public money. Heavy machinery was brought in that wasn’t even necessary. This feels like another form of extortion.”