PMC demolishes five illegal RMC plants in Bavdhan Budruk, cuts their power

The construction and anti-encroachment department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out a drive in the Bavdhan Budruk area and demolished five unauthorised ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants. The action was taken on Tuesday (13th). About 35,000 sq ft of unauthorised construction was pulled down. With the help of MSEDCL (Mahavitaran), the power supply to all five plants has also been cut permanently.

There are about 300 to 325 RMC projects in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and the district. Of these, 100 to 125 fall within the PMC limits. None of these projects has taken the PMC's permission for construction. RMC plants also harm the environment and affect people's health.

Four months ago, the PMC had demolished seven RMC plants in Lohegaon-Khandve Nagar. Action was then planned against RMC plants on the riverbank and nearby in Wadgaon Khurd. However, that action was called off at the last moment because of a nexus between officials of the construction department and plant owners.

Citizens expressed strong anger over this and warned of an agitation. District Collector Jitendra Dudi then held a meeting with office-bearers of the RMC association. At the meeting, it was announced that a set of rules (a policy) would be framed for RMC plants and transport. Accordingly, the district administration drew up a policy on RMC in May and sent it to the PMC, the police administration and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board for their views. No action has been taken on it so far.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the PMC took action against five unauthorised RMC plants in the Bavdhan Budruk area and demolished them. The action was carried out jointly by the PMC's encroachment department, sky sign department and construction development department. Nine JCBs, two gas cutters, 60 personnel of the Maharashtra Security Force, 15 police personnel, five encroachment inspectors and 40 workers were deployed. With MSEDCL's cooperation, power to all five plants was cut. The operating rooms were also sealed and the plants shut down.

The drive was conducted under the guidance of Somnath Bankar, deputy commissioner of the PMC's encroachment department, and Suhas Jadhav, assistant commissioner of the Kothrud-Bavdhan regional office. On the orders of city engineer Aniruddha Pawaskar and superintending engineer Pravin Shende, the team of construction development department deputy engineer Bhaskar Hande and branch engineer Ajay Phale carried out the action.