PMC to strengthen demolition squad

The civic officials said the deputy city engineer of anti-encroachment department, Gautam Waghchaure, has already submitted a proposal in this connection to the Municipal Commissioner.

According to the proposal, each of the 12 ward offices will be provided with a team of 15 labourers and some policemen to carry out anti-encroachment action.

The present team of 150 labourers of the anti encroachment department can carry out a maximum of five to six demolitions on a single day. With its decentralisation, it would be able to undertake 12 to 15 demolitions per day.

According to an official report, the anti-encroachment department demolished unauthorised structures totally admeasuring 7,52,403 sq ft and collected an amount of Rs 14,26,614 as fees for taking action against encroachments from various property owners between April 1, 1998 and March 31, 1999.

Unauthorised structures totally admeasuring 2,14,507 sq ft were demolished from April 1, 1999 to June 5, 1999 and an amount of Rs 3,71,801 was collected as fees to clear the plots from various property owners during the period, the report said.

It added that the civic administration had demolished encroachments totally admeasuring 38,690 sq fts in 1993-94; 97,600 sq ft in 1994-95; 1,85,450 in 1995-96; 4,15,873 sq ft in 1996-97 and 5,41,959 sq ft in 1997-98.