Pune: In a major move to curb unregulated business growth, village panchayats in Chakan MIDC Phase 2 have prohibited the sale or rental of land to business owners displaced by Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) ongoing anti-encroachment drive in Chikhali, Kudalwadi, and Moshi.

The gram panchayats of Vasuli, Shelu, Savardari, and Varale have officially warned residents against leasing or selling properties to the displaced scrap dealers and business owners.

In recent months, PCMC has demolished encroachments spread across hundreds of acres, rendering numerous business owners homeless. Many of them are now trying to relocate to Chakan MIDC, particularly targeting Phase 2 villages.

However, local authorities fear unregulated businesses could lead to environmental degradation, similar to what was observed in Pimpri-Chinchwad. Officials noted that some illegal businesses had employed unauthorized foreign nationals, and pollution from industrial waste had contaminated the Indrayani River.

To prevent similar issues, the village panchayats have taken the following actions:

• Banning land sales and rentals to displaced business owners.

• Denying panchayat services and amenities to businesses found violating these rules.

• Refusing official registration of any such businesses in panchayat records.

Following the eviction of businesses from Chikhali and Kudalwaadi, the demand for land and rental spaces in Chakan MIDC has surged. Land prices in Chakan MIDC have jumped to ₹15-17 lakh per guntha (approximately 1,089 sq. ft.). Rental rates have doubled or even tripled, said local entrepreneur Bharat Kanpile.