PUNE, March 22: Twenty years after declaring the award for acquiring land and properties for widening the road between Pawle chowk to Dengle bridge at Kasba Peth, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) forcefully acquired 33 houses clearing 1,055 square metres of space to widen the road to 45 feet.An official statement issued today stated that nearly five property holders had obtained a stay from the High Court. The Development Plan had proposed the widening of the 30 ft road to 45 ft which would prevent the traffic congestion in the densely populated locality of Kasba Peth.The standing committee had approved the proposal to acquire the properties way back on January 10, 1970 and awards had been declared between 1977 to 1985. Out of 33 properties, 20-25 were shopkeepers and traders while 30-35 were resident families.The action was taken as per Section 47 of the Land Acquisition Act. The property holders had requested some time due to the ongoing examinations. Taking a humanitarian view, the PMC had also relented and postponed the action after Gudi Padwa. On March 20- the PMC acquired the houses by which time some property holders had voluntarily vacated it.
