9 more buildings get PMC axe, 8 more to go

The building next to the office of former Congress corporator Sanjay Nande at Taljai-Dhankawadi plateau was one among nine others illegal structures that were razed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) yesterday. The PMC had identified 22 illegal constructions in the area and initiated action on Monday.

Facing the axe: One of the nine buildings demolished by the PMC yesterday. Pics/Vivek Sabnis

The illegal structures at Taljai-Dhankawadi plateau came into the limelight after the ‘Somnath' building, owned by Nande collapsed killing 11 and leaving an equal number injured. Interestingly, the PMC's anti-encroachment cell faced much less opposition from local residents, compared to Monday.

"Local residents and political activists had opposed the drive against illegal constructions in the area," said Shivaji Kadam, Executive Engineer, Building and Permission, PMC.

No exceptions: The building next to Sanjay Nande's office

"Despite it being Gandhi Jayanti and a national holiday yesterday, the PMC and city police ensured the drive was successful," said Rajendra Raut, executive engineer, building and Permission, PMC.

"The drive was possible only because of cooperation from the Sahakarnagar police station," he added. Vasudev Kurbet, building inspector, who also made an official complaint against Sanjay Nande after the collapse of ‘Somnath' building, said, "Though Nande has his office next door, action was taken on a building belonging to Vikas Chavan, which had parking plus two flours covering a total area of 1,200 square feet. The other eight illegal structures to face the hammer were located at Survey No 34 and 35 at Mohannagar in Taljai-Dhankawadi plateau area."u00a0