Demolitions still pack a punch

PUNE, March 16: Unperturbed by the mass movement against the transfer of Arun Bhatia, the new Municipal Commissioner Girish Pradhan today...

PUNE, March 16: Unperturbed by the mass movement against the transfer of Arun Bhatia, the new Municipal Commissioner Girish Pradhan today demonstrated his determination by demolishing more than 15,000 square feet unauthorised constructions on Karve and Paud road.

The anti-encroachment squad, led by Gautam Waghchoure, demolished two sheds at the premises of Raja Shri Shivray Pratishthan, associated with Shiv Sena MLA Shashikant Sutar. It also demolished two hotels and two other constructions owned by Sutar family.

Waghchoure told media persons that the civic body had issued notices to 160 individuals and establishment on Karve and Paud Road while 14,831 square feet illegal construction was pulled down by 5 pm. The action was on till late evening.

The squad first struck at Hotel Varunraj on Karve Road by demolishing a shed and a mezzanine, admeasuring about 1300 square feet. An office 100 square feet at Anandmay apartment, off Karve Road, owned by builder and developer Bal Phule was also demolished.

The major actions were today taken on Paud Road where more than 100 illegal structures, majority of them had come up in the front margins of the shops, were razed.

At Pratiknagar, 12 illegal structures 810 square feet were hammered down while at Pushpnagari about 800 square feet illegal structure was demolished.

At Raja Shri Shivray Pratishthan, the squad demolished two sheds admeasuring about 1600 square feet. A portion of Hotel Rajlaxmi, owned by Sutar8217;s son was pulled down.

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The hotels on Paud road where the squad struck include Pratik Juice bar, Swagat, Samarth, Vaishali, Abhinandan, Durga, Rajlaxmi and Malhar. The squad could not take action against hotel Kinara because of court8217;s stay order.

It demolished two walls at the offices of Metro Link and Prasanna Tours and Travel on Paud road.

Waghchoure said the action would continue tomorrow also. About 150 casual labours and three excavators were pressed into service.

The tax assessment department today recovered the property tax arrears of Rs 7.16 lakh from five defaulters. About Rs three lakh was recovered by Pushpa Dugad while Laxman Mudliar paid Rs 1.05 lakh. Hotel Ranjit paid Rs 1.15 lakh and Vinod Mahale deposited Rs one lakh. Vilas Mahale and Sushma Fitness paid arrears of Rs 42,000 and 50,000, respectively.