The PMC on Wednesday demolished 29 properties constructed illegally on hilltops and slopes in Bibvewadi.
A Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) official said these properties were built near Aai Mata Mandir and Shatrunjay Mandir areas.
“The administration had given notices to the occupants of these properties, comprising showrooms, godowns and shops. But despite repeated notices, they have not taken any steps to remove them . So, the administration demolished these properties,” said Yuvraj Deshmukh, chief engineer, PMC.
According to PMC officials, development is not allowed in the area, which is a ‘hilltop-hill slope’ zone, as per Section 4.17 of Unified Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR) rules 2020. As per UDCR, this zone is ‘kept in abeyance’. It means it has been classified as a no-construction zone until PMC allows construction as part of their development plan. The UDCPR says hilltop-hill slope zones (HTHS) are areas where the slopes have a gradient more than 1:5, irrespective of whether shown on plan or not.
Earlier, PMC had taken action against illegal properties and encroachments near riversides or riverbeds.
The civic administration had carried out an anti-encroachment drive at the popular eat-out destination on DP road near Mhatre bridge. Tin sheds, concrete structures, kitchens set up on front margins and side margins of renowned restaurants, lawns and marriage halls were demolished in the drive.
Green zones and hilltop-hill slope areas are focus of upcoming drives in Pulachiwadi, Baner, Yerewada, Karve Nagar, Deccan, Sangamwadi and Sinhagad Road. Most commercial activities are carried out under the bridge and on riverbeds. Areas like Yewalewadi, Katraj, Ambegaon Budruk and Khurd, Baner, Balewadi, Bavdhan, etc have witnessed illegal constructions in past few years.