Pune: PCMC Files Complaint Against Builder For Road Digging, FIR Registered

Reported By Varad Bhatkhande

Bhosari, 12th June 2024: In Pimpri Chinchwad city, road digging has been prohibited since 31st May due to the rainy season. However, a builder has disregarded this directive and dug up a significant 2-kilometer road in Bhosari. Additionally, they have cut down 10 trees and disrupted the Eco Jogging track, resulting in a total loss of more than Rs 2 crore to the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC).

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh and City Engineer Makarand Nikam had imposed a prohibition on road digging after 31st May until further notice due to the rainy season. They warned that unauthorized road digging would lead to criminal charges. Despite this, the builder constructing a commercial complex near in Bhosari proceeded to dig roads for laying underground electric cables without PCMC permission. They dug up a stretch of road measuring 1,580 meters from Landewadi towards Nashik Phata road. Furthermore, they dug up a road in front of the jogging track along the Pune-Nashik highway, resulting in the destruction of numerous trees.

Despite the extensive road digging and tree felling, officials from PCMC’s Building Permission Department, Civil Department, and Garden Department turned a blind eye to the violations. Officials from the Civil Department cited the reduced manpower during the Lok Sabha elections as a reason for not noticing the violations promptly. Now, a case has been registered against the builder at MIDC Bhosari Police Station.

According to Senior Police Inspector Ganesh Jamdar of MIDC Bhosari Police Station, PCMC the complaint against the electrical contractor and the builder.

The penalty in this case will be determined based on the cost of road repair, as stated by the Civil Department, which estimates the loss at 2 crores. The Garden Department has also reported losses.

PCMC City Engineer Makarand Nikam of the Civil Department stated, “A case has been registered against the builder and contractor for unauthorized road digging. PCMC granted construction permission for the commercial complex in Nashik Phata, Kasarwadi, and the project is in its final stages. The Civil Department has reported a loss of approximately 2 crores due to the digging. The total damage amount will be determined after consulting with the Garden Department. If compensation is not provided, the project will not receive a certificate of construction completion.”