Bakery among 112 illegal structures listed by civic body's anti-encroachment cell

The German Bakery is among 112 structures in Pune that were served notices by the anti-encroachment cells of the PMC in the last one year. In fact, 15 of the structures are around the Bakery, where a blast on Saturday claimed 10 lives, and all have been served such notices every six months for some years now.

According to the PMC, the food court and the area outside the main structure where benches are placed are illegal.

Rajendra Wagaskar, MNS corporator from Koregaon Park, said, "The German Bakery had sought a High Court stay about 10 years ago. This is why the PMC has not been able to take any action against them. However, the PMC has acted against other illegal structures in the neighbourhood from time to time."

However, Shriram Salvekar, PMC ward officer, Koregaon Park, confirmed that the civic body has been issuing notices to the German Bakery every six months despite the HC stay. "The bakery should remove the shed outside the main structure. We are yet to take action against 24 such establishments in the area under Section 42 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act. We also want to clear the main area of 58 hawkers so the road is cleared," said Salvekar.u00a0

Sr PI Vikas Gopale, chief of the PMC's anti-encroachment cell, said, "In the last four months, we have taken action against 20 places in Koregaon Park. There are several security concerns that arise from illegal encroachments because it becomes difficult to keep a tab on those who use such places," said Gopale.