40,000 illegal constructions in PCNTDA: Band mum

As of today,the illegal constructions actually are spread on 500 hectares of land involving an amount of Rs 2000 crore,officials said. PCNTDA chief executive officer Suhas Divse said the survey was conducted to understand the magnitude of problem. “We are still compiling the figure. We do not know the actual figure of illegal constructions,” he said. The survey was conducted in Wakad,Chinchwad,Thergaon,Rahatni,Dhavdevasti in Bhosari,Kudalwadi,Sanevasti and Ravet. In some areas like Walhekerwadi and Chinchwadenagar,the survey could not be carried out due to opposition from the residents.

Divisional Commissioner Dilip Band,who has earned the nick name demolition man after his unrelenting actions in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Aurangabad,has however refused to comment as to what action he proposes to take against the illegal constructions. “Wait and see,” that’s what he said when asked whether his office intended to demolish the illegal constructions in Pradhikaran areas. “I am not going to tell you anything…whether there is going to be any action or not. I will keep up mum or else my words will be misinterpreted,” Band said. When told that he will not act since assembly elections are around the corner,Band said action will be taken,when it has to be taken. “But I can’t say anything now.” Band again refused to comment when asked whether there will be a replay of what he did in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Aurangabad. When asked whether PCNTDA should be dissolved in view of the latest survey highlighting serious problems of negligence,Band said,”Dismiss it.” Refusing to reveal anything,Band finally said the best person to answer the going-ons in Pradhikaran was its CEO.

Divse on his part said some solutions will have to found to this problem,especially in the light of the Bombay high court judgement ordering demolition of the illegal structure of a corporator in Phugewadi which is under the jurisdiction of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation.

Supporting Band’s views on “dissolving PCNTDA,” PCMC’s co-opted corporator Babu Nair said Pradhikaran has lost its purpose. “It has not lived up to its purpose of developing housing for industrial workers. Pradhikaran was like CIDCO. It was supposed to serve as a role model,but has fared miserably.” Nair said since last five years,PCNTDA has no committee. “There is a chairman and six members. But due to some politics,the committee has not been set up so far,” said Nair while calling for merging of Pradhikaran with PCMC.

Meanwhile,the PCNTDA will discuss the issue of illegal constructions at its meeting on Thursday. CEO Divse said since they are just getting to know the magnitude of problem,they need time to take a decision. “We will try and find some solution to the issue,” he said. Officials said efforts are being made to regularise the structures by imposing fine on the errant residents. “But the problem is that the structures cannot be regularised under gunthewari which is only applicable to the civic body. That means,the Pradhikaran will have to be merged with PCMC so as to legalise the structures,” officials said.

(With inputs from Avinash Chilekar)