Pune: Developer sneaks into civic open space in Kharadi, residents fume
PUNE: Kharadi residents have raised an alarm that a private builder was constructing on an open four-acre land on Fountain Road marked as an exhibition and recreation space in the development plan of the Pune Municipal Corporation.
Residents have termed it as a misuse of an amenity space and said Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials were alerted about the activity, but no action was taken.
As a result, the residents will protest against the development on Saturday.
Deepak Patil of the Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association (KHSWA) said that “as per PMC’s development plan, the place has been approved as an exhibition ground for decades, but the civic body is not taking any steps to secure it. Instead, we came to know that a private builder is constructing on the grounds.”
Patil said the residents had written letters to various authorities, but nothing positive worked out. “We have decided to come out in large numbers on Saturday and put a stop to illegal activities.”
The residents will hold an agitation around 8am on Saturday at the particular plot to register their dissent over the latest developments.
Patil said association members have noticed earth-moving equipment clearing the plot and other such activities — all of which need to be halted.
Kharadi resident Vikas Sukhwani said, “Our locality deserves accessible public spaces. It’s time to address the lack of open areas for community gatherings, connecting and recreation. Let’s come together and advocate for more parks, plazas and green spaces.”
The plot falls under survey numbers 53 and 54 and is spread over 15,779 sq m which is mainly amenity space.
Resident and member of KHSWA Satish Joshi said, “Last week, a private builder started activities to take possession of the land without anybody’s knowledge. The plot is surrounded by tin sheds and the builder has even destroyed the wall fencing by the PMC. He has started to erect concrete walls on his own. The builder has locked the iron gate to prevent people from entering.”