Pune: In a major anti-encroachment operation, authorities demolished 40,000 square feet of illegal structures in Wagholi on Wednesday. The six-hour-long drive was conducted jointly by the Pune Municipal Corporation, PMRDA, Public Works Department, National Highways Authority, and Wagholi Police.

Police Commissioner and MLA Lead Action Against Traffic Obstructions

The operation was planned following a high-level meeting on Tuesday, attended by Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, MLA Dnyaneshwar Katke, and senior officials from multiple departments. During the meeting, the commissioner conducted a ground inspection of Wagholi's traffic congestion and directed immediate action against illegal encroachments.

As per the plan, demolition began at 1 PM on Wednesday from Kesnand Phata. By 7 PM, encroachments blocking traffic flow, including sheds, platforms, and unauthorized signboards, were cleared.

Heavy Police Deployment Ensured Smooth Operation

The demolition drive was executed peacefully under tight security, with Senior Police Inspector Pandit Rejitwad leading the police team from Wagholi Police Station. To manage traffic during the operation, Assistant Police Inspector Gajanan Jadhav from the Lonikand Traffic Division supervised the process.

Some business owners voluntarily removed their illegal structures on Tuesday evening after learning about the upcoming crackdown. The sudden action was well-received by local residents, who welcomed the move as a much-needed step to ease congestion.

The second phase of the operation will resume at 8 AM on Thursday. The drive involved 50 laborers, a JCB machine, and multiple department officials working together to clear encroachments.

MLA Dnyaneshwar Katke emphasized the need for continued enforcement, urging citizens to avoid illegal encroachments and calling for swift municipal action whenever such structures emerge.