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The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has introduced a dedicated five-member vigilance squad to tackle illegal construction activities and penalise staff negligence. The move follows growing public concern over delayed civic action and continued unauthorised developments. The new squad will probe complaints filed through the Saarthi helpline and those escalated to senior officers, with findings being reported directly to the Municipal Commissioner. This decision comes after demolition of structures such as a 1,200 sq ft illegal building in Rahatani and thousands of unauthorised units in areas like Kudalwadi and the Indrayani riverbed, underscoring the urgency of the issue.
To counter the rising instances of unauthorised construction, the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has set up a dedicated vigilance squad comprising five members. The new unit is tasked with investigating complaints against illegal construction and monitoring cases where civic staff have failed to act in a timely or appropriate manner. The squad's findings will be submitted directly to Municipal Commissioner Shekhar Singh, ensuring tighter oversight and faster escalation of serious violations. Advertisement
This step follows repeated instances of delayed intervention by civic officials, which allowed illegal buildings to be completed or nearly completed before any action was taken. At a review meeting with all zonal officers and beat inspectors, the Commissioner instructed teams to take immediate and visible action.
He warned that officers who fail to detect unauthorised activity within their jurisdiction would face disciplinary proceedings, including suspension. He also laid down stricter timelines: notices issued in such cases must be acted upon within 24 hours, and site inspections must be completed within a week.
The recently formed squad has begun probing complaints received through the Saarthi helpline and those brought directly to senior officials. Their reports will now play a key role in determining whether enforcement officers acted promptly or failed in their duties.
This initiative comes in the wake of several high-profile demolitions. One of the most recent actions involved razing a 1,200 sq ft illegal two-storey building in Rahatani. Earlier this year, the civic body demolished more than 4,000 unauthorised industrial units in Kudalwadi and took down 36 illegally constructed bungalows along the floodplains of the Indrayani River. These cases highlighted the ongoing problem of delayed response and inadequate oversight in curbing encroachments.
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