Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) plans to impose additional property tax on developers involved in unauthorised construction to recover the expenses incurred in demolishing illegal structures. The move is intended to strengthen enforcement against unlawful construction and discourage developers from violating building regulations.
According to Pravin Shende, a senior official in PMC’s building permission department, the civic body will recover demolition costs by levying additional tax on other properties owned by developers responsible for illegal construction. The penalty is expected to make developers financially accountable for unauthorised projects and prevent them from avoiding the costs of demolition.
PMC officials said notices have already been issued to developers asking them to repay the expenses incurred during demolition drives. However, the response has been poor, with only a handful of developers making payments despite the notices.
The civic body incurs considerable expenditure while removing unauthorised structures. These operations require manpower, heavy machinery and other resources, including earthmovers and jaw cutters. PMC also bears expenses related to equipment rentals, fuel, workers’ daily wages and police protection during demolition drives.
For an illegal construction measuring around 1,000 sq ft, the estimated demolition charge imposed by PMC is approximately Rs 1 lakh. Recovering these expenses from the developers responsible for the violations would help reduce the financial burden on the municipal administration.
24,000 Notices Issued Between 2020 and 2026
PMC data shows that the building permission and enforcement departments issued approximately 24,000 notices under the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act between 2020 and 2026. The notices were issued against unauthorised structures across different zones of Pune.
The scale of enforcement activity highlights the continuing challenge faced by the civic body in controlling illegal construction. While issuing notices is an important step, recovering demolition expenses and ensuring compliance remain key concerns.
The proposed additional property tax is intended to address the financial aspect of enforcement. By linking the recovery of demolition costs to the other properties owned by the developers concerned, PMC aims to create a stronger deterrent against unauthorised construction.
However, the effectiveness of the measure will depend on the administration’s ability to identify the responsible developers, assess the recoverable amounts and collect the outstanding dues.
Affordable Housing Demand Adds to Enforcement Challenges
Urbanisation, rising land prices and the demand for affordable housing are among the factors contributing to unauthorised construction in Pune. As more people move to urban areas, the need for lower-cost housing continues to increase. High property prices can push some buyers towards cheaper, unapproved buildings, creating opportunities for developers seeking to maximise profits.
Experts and activists have also pointed to gaps in monitoring by local authorities, including gram panchayats and municipal bodies, as well as political interference. These factors can delay action against illegal structures and make it difficult for authorities to prevent unauthorised development at an early stage.
Vivek Velankar of the citizens’ group Sajag Nagrik Manch questioned whether the additional tax would deliver the intended results without effective recovery of existing dues. He noted that the administration was already facing difficulties in collecting regular property tax payments.
The concern highlights a key issue for PMC: imposing additional penalties may have limited impact if developers continue to ignore payment notices.
The proposed measure will therefore require consistent enforcement and effective recovery mechanisms to achieve its objectives. Alongside penalties, stronger monitoring of construction activity and timely action against violations could help address the problem before unauthorised structures reach completion.
For Pune’s urban development, the challenge remains to balance the growing demand for affordable housing with compliance with building regulations. PMC’s approach will be closely linked to its ability to recover demolition costs and ensure that developers are held accountable for unauthorised construction.
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