Pune: 36 Unauthorized Bungalows Near Indrayani River to Be Demolished
The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to demolish 36 unauthorized bungalows in the River Villa project. The Bombay High Court has rejected an interim plea, clearing the way for the action.
PuneIndrayani RiverUnauthorized BungalowsDemolitionPcmcReal Estate NewsMay 17, 2025
Real Estate News:Pimpri Chinchwad, 17th May 2025: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is set to begin the demolition of 36 unauthorized bungalows from the controversial River Villa project in Chikhali on Saturday. These homes, constructed within the blue flood line zone of the Indrayani river, will be razed after the Bombay High Court declined to issue a stay on the proposed action. A group of residents had approached the court seeking a redefinition of the flood line boundary and had requested that the civic body be restrained from initiating any coercive action until the remapping was completed. However, their plea for interim relief was turned down. “The High Court allowed us an urgent hearing but did not grant any interim protection,” said advocates Yogendra Kumar and Arun Longani, representing the homeowners. “However, the main civil writ petition remains pending and is scheduled for hearing on June 9.” The legal counsels insisted that while the construction itself is under dispute, the land purchases and registered sale deeds were executed legally. They also mentioned that the homeowners had submitted a written assurance to PCMC stating that if their properties fall within the revised blue line, they would either demolish the structures themselves or vacate the premises and hand over the keys until a new flood line is finalized. Earlier, on May 5, the Supreme Court had dismissed a civil appeal by the developer seeking to block the demolition, further clearing the way for municipal action. Residents, however, expressed frustration and said they had been misled by the builder. “We were told the plots were part of a residential zone. The corporation even provided water and electricity. If there was an issue, it should have been raised while the houses were being constructed,” said one bungalow owner. “Many of us spent our life savings on these homes.” The matter has been under legal and environmental scrutiny for some time. On July 1, 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ordered PCMC to demolish 29 bungalows and other illegal constructions within six months. The NGT had also directed the civic body to recover ₹5 crore as environmental compensation from the property owners. However, the Supreme Court temporarily halted the action until the appeal process was exhausted. Now, with all legal hurdles cleared, the civic body has finalized its plans. All 36 bungalows, including the 29 under litigation, have received eviction notices. Their water and electricity connections have been disconnected, and public announcements are ongoing to urge residents to vacate, a senior PCMC official said. According to officials, many of the residents purchased the land in 2021, and construction was completed over the past two to three years. Several families had already moved in. Although the Supreme Court did not set a specific deadline for the demolition, civic authorities are moving swiftly to avoid delays. Another official noted that monsoon restrictions, which come into effect after June 1, prohibit demolition of residential properties during the rainy season. “Since no demolition can be done during the monsoon as per Supreme Court guidelines, this window is crucial,” the official added. The demolition drive is scheduled to begin on Saturday morning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the bungalows being demolished? A: The bungalows are being demolished because they were constructed within the blue flood line zone of the Indrayani river, which is unauthorized and poses environmental risks. Q: What legal actions have been taken regarding the bungalows? A: Residents and the developer have sought legal protection, including an interim plea to the Bombay High Court and an appeal to the Supreme Court, both of which were unsuccessful. Q: Have the residents been given any time to vacate the bungalows? A: Yes, the residents have been given eviction notices and their water and electricity connections have been disconnected. They are being urged to vacate the premises. Q: What is the role of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in this matter? A: The NGT ordered the PCMC to demolish 29 bungalows and other illegal constructions and directed the recovery of ₹5 crore as environmental compensation from the property owners. Q: Why is the demolition scheduled to begin before June 1? A: The demolition is scheduled to begin before June 1 to avoid monsoon restrictions, which prohibit the demolition of residential properties during the rainy season.
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