Two engineers suspended for ignoring illegal construction in Baner.
Four sanitation officials fined after poor cleanliness found in Shivajinagar area.
Commissioner continues surprise inspections during Diwali holidays.
Pune, 21 October 2025: In an unexpected decision during the holiday season, Pune Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram initiated a range of disciplinary measures within the civic administration. On Sunday, he suspended two engineers from the Building Department and levied fines on four sanitation officials for their negligence.
The action came after the Commissioner discovered that two officials failed to report ongoing illegal construction at Baner, while others neglected their duties in maintaining cleanliness in Shivajinagar and Ghole Road areas.
Civic officials reported that a developer at Survey No. 216 in Baner exceeded the approved construction plan by finishing the sixth floor and starting the seventh floor, despite only having permission for the lower levels. Junior Engineer Shubhangi Tarukmare and Deputy Engineer Sandeep Misal, tasked with overseeing the project, did not report this breach.
Following a review of the situation, the Commissioner ordered their immediate suspension and initiated a departmental investigation. Deputy Commissioner Vijaykumar Thorat issued the formal suspension orders.
The Commissioner’s proactive stance has reportedly sent a strong message across the Building Department, where complaints about inaction against errant builders have been frequent.
On Sunday, October 19, Ram carried out a field inspection in the Shivajinagar–Ghole Road region, particularly from Deep Bungalow Chowk to Wadarwadi, to evaluate the sanitation conditions. He noticed piles of garbage in several spots, which were emitting a foul odor, and observed that no civic staff were present. Displeased with the situation, he called the officers to the location for clarification, but their responses were unsatisfactory.
Subsequently, Deputy Commissioner Santosh Warule levied fines on four personnel: Senior Sanitation Inspector Sunil Kamble was fined ₹5,000, Sanitation Inspector Sangeeta Badami received a ₹4,000 penalty, and Mukadams Lalit Makwani and Raj Salvi were each fined ₹2,000.
Even though the Diwali holidays last until October 23, Commissioner Ram has persisted in carrying out on-site inspections in different areas of Pune. Over the last two days, he has initiated the transfers of two assistant commissioners, two deputy engineers, and three additional staff members, as well as the suspension of two engineers and imposed penalties on four others.
Civic sources indicate that the Commissioner intends to sustain this pace and proceed with unexpected inspections during the festive season, suggesting that further disciplinary measures may be imminent.