Pune: 25 Acres of PCMC Land Encroached Upon Across 60 Plots, Action Proposal Sent to Civic Squad

Pimpri Chinchwad, 17th October 2026: Around 25 acres of land reserved for public amenities and owned by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) have been encroached upon across 60 plots, with illegal commercial structures reportedly operating on the properties for years.

The encroached plots, together measuring 1,04,964 square metres, were acquired by the civic body for amenities such as gardens, playgrounds, schools and dispensaries. However, the land has allegedly been occupied by local businesses, which have put up permanent structures, sheds and commercial units.

The scale of the encroachments has raised questions over the civic administration’s failure to protect public property. Allegations have also been raised that officials in the town planning, land and estate, and encroachment departments have ignored the unauthorised occupation for years. Suspicions of political patronage for some encroachers have also surfaced.

Following directions from standing committee chairman Abhishek Barne, the land and estate department surveyed plots acquired by the civic body that had subsequently been encroached upon. It identified 60 plots across 11 locations and forwarded details to the encroachment department for further action.

Moshi accounts for the highest number of encroached plots, with 18, or 30% of the total. Sangvi has 13 such plots, while Bopkhel has 10 and Ravet eight. Bhosari has three encroached plots, Chikhali has two, and Pimple Gurav, Akurdi, Kiwale and Talawade have one each.

The encroached land is reportedly being used for commercial activities, including parking and other businesses. The continued occupation has prompted questions over why the civic body has failed to act against large commercial encroachments while taking swift action against smaller unauthorised structures.

Although the land and estate department has sent a proposal to the encroachment department for action, concerns remain over whether the move will lead to actual eviction or remain confined to official correspondence.

Additional municipal commissioner Trupti Sandbhor said the encroachment department had received details of the occupied plots from the land and estate department and that action was proposed. She warned citizens against encroaching on reserved or civic-owned land, saying violations would invite strict action.

The civic administration is now under pressure to clear the encroachments and secure the land for the public amenities for which it was originally reserved.