Basement misuse: it’s own norms in place,but PCMC turns blind eye to blatant violations

In January 2006,the then municipal commissioner Dilip Band — in reply to a query by civic activists Sunil Shegaonkar,Pandurang Garsund and others — said,”As per the development control rules,the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation while giving permission for construction of a building does not give sanction for use of basements for residential or commercial purposes. The use of basements is allowed only as store,godown and a safe deposit vault.” In the letter,Band said the PCMC has come across incidents where basements are being used for shops,restaurants or other commercial purposes. “Considering these facts,the PCMC has decided to make changes in the development control rules in a bid to completely stop the misuse of basements. The proposal for changes in the DC rules were sent to state government in August 2005. Once the state government gives sanction,we will ensure that basements are used only parking purpose and for storing,” Band had stated. The approval of the state government was apparently received a few months later. When contacted on Tuesday,PCMC city engineer Eknath Ugile said after approval from government,the civic administration has stricted the use of basements only for parking purpose. “We sanction building plan with basements reserved for parking purpose,” Ugile said.

Civic activist-turned-corporator Maruti Bhapkar said in last week’s general body meeting,he highlighted the fact that along the highway several shops,hotels and restaurants have come up in basements. “Because of the absence of parking at these places,people are parking their vehicles on the roads. And on the roads,the police are lifting their vehicles and imposing fines. The situation is getting uglier by the day,” he said. Bhapkar said in the GB he demanded that all such illegal constructions should be demolished so that parking problem along the highway is resolved.

“Another fact is that nearly 32 sites where parking could be allowed are not in PCMC’s possession. The PCMC should first take these sites in its possession so that parking problems could ease,” Bhapkar said. Congress corporator P S Nair said there are nearly 90 buildings where basements are being blatantly used for purposes other than parking. “Hotels,restaurants and shops are a common sight at these buildings. Shockingly,many of these buildings are in the vicinity of the PCMC headquarters. Yet nobody is bothered. It is time that action should be taken against people who are brazenly flouting the laid-down norms and also against officials who are turning blind eye to the illegal construction reign,” Nair said.

Citizens movement gathers momentum
The PCMC administration,which hitherto has played the role of a spectator even as basements became commercial hubs,will now be under constant watch. Citizens,who have decided to join hands and form a monitoring body to ensure implementation of proper parking norms,will meet this week to provide a push to their movement.

Among those who have come forward to PCMC and builders in place include Sanjeevani Pandey of Chinchwad,D G Baliga of Pimpri,Shridhar Chalkha of Nigdi,Sachin Godambe of Bhosari,Shriram Pandey of Sangvi and Shrikant Jadhav of Kasarwadi. The citizens have decided to chalk out an action plan vis-a-vis parking norms during their first meeting . The administration has welcomed the move,saying it will help officials work effectively.