Pimpri, September 30, 2025 (Special Correspondent): While the recent action taken against unauthorized constructions and encroachments in the Kudalwadi area of ??the Pune Municipal Corporation has created unrest among the local citizens, Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday (September 29) gave a stern reprimand to the administration's administration. "The responsibility of the administration does not end with taking action; the responsibility for their rehabilitation is also the responsibility of the administration," Pawar clearly stated and ordered a detailed report to be submitted. The meeting highlighted the need to focus not only on action but also on rehabilitation with a humane approach to the issue of encroachment in Kudalwadi.
Kudalwadi area is a busy industrial and residential mixed area in Pune Metropolitan City. The number of unauthorized constructions has increased here in the last few years, which has directly affected the livelihood of small entrepreneurs, workers and local residents. The municipal administration recently took massive action against these encroachments, in which many shops, houses and small industries were inaugurated. However, what now for the families left homeless by this action? When will the rehabilitation arrangements be made? While questions are being raised, Deputy Chief Minister Pawar directed to take immediate steps in this regard.
In Monday's meeting, Pawar said, "We will not allow this role of sometimes stopping action by citing political pressure and sometimes avoiding responsibility by taking refuge in public anger. If the action taken is justified, stand firmly behind it; if it is a mistake, admit it." In these words, he made the system aware of its responsibility. The meeting was attended by senior officials like Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode, Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, Police Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, Additional Commissioner of PMRDA Deepak Singla, Joint Commissioner Himmat Kharade, Chief Engineer of Maharashtra Distribution Company Sunil Kakade, Chief Engineer of Pune Mahapareshan Perimitral Anil Kolap, MIDC Deputy Chief Executive Officer Santosh Bhise, Chief Engineer Kailas Bhandekar, Regional Officer Nitin Gawli, Archana Pathare, Regional Officer of Pollution Control Board Babasaheb Kukde, Deputy Regional Officer Manchak Jadhav, President of Small Entrepreneurs Association Sandeep Belsare, former MLA Vilas Lande.
Background of the action in Kudalwadi
The problem of encroachment in the Kudalwadi area is not only local, but is related to the planning of the entire Pune metropolis. Here, small and large small industries, daily wage workers and residential settlements are woven together in the MIDC area. Since last year, the Municipal Corporation has been carrying out an encroachment removal campaign, in which hundreds of structures have been demolished. However, this action has increased social tension as the families displaced by this action do not have alternative accommodation facilities. The Small Entrepreneurs Association had also put forward demands in this regard, which expected to provide alternative space for their industries, financial assistance and legal support.
Representatives of small entrepreneurs presented their problems in the meeting. Sandeep Belsare said, "Our small industries have been hit hard due to the action. If rehabilitation is not done now, livelihoods will be at risk." Pawar responded positively to this and said, "The administration should immediately plan for rehabilitation. Consider the available spaces from PMRDA and MIDC and submit a detailed report within 15 days." He also directed to ensure environmental and power supply facilities in coordination with the Pollution Control Board and Mahavitaran.
What plan for rehabilitation?
As per the instructions of Deputy Chief Minister Pawar, now the Municipal Corporation and the concerned departments have started preparing a multi-faceted plan for rehabilitation. These mainly include the following issues:
Residential rehabilitation: Temporary accommodation for displaced families on available plots of PMRDA. At least 250 square feet of space to be provided to each family.
Industrial rehabilitation: Transfer to vacant plots in MIDC for small entrepreneurs. Subsidies and loan facilities to be provided for this.
Financial assistance: Insurance scheme and government subsidy for damage caused by the action. Coordination with the district administration for this.
Legal support: Special campaign to provide legal documents to encroachers.
Pawar also said that an independent committee will be formed to implement this scheme. This committee will submit a progress report every week, so that the complaints of citizens can be resolved immediately.