Pune, 12th October 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has imposed a penalty of ₹6.43 crore on a builder for carrying out road excavation without permission in Susgaon.
The action follows a complaint by the Rayat Swabhimani organisation, which has demanded the immediate recovery of the amount. The builder had previously been fined ₹95 lakh for a similar violation, but the amount remains unpaid, according to the organisation.
The PMC’s Road Department found that approximately 1,700 metres of road had been excavated without permission during construction work at Survey Nos. 127/1 and 2 Part J/3, and 127/1 Part A/2 in Susgaon. Rishikesh Kanawate, an organiser with Rayat Swabhimani, had lodged a complaint with the department. An inquiry found the complaint to be valid.
The civic body charges ₹12,192 per foot for excavation required to lay utility lines. Contractors and private companies must pay the prescribed charges and obtain permission before starting work. Since the builder allegedly carried out the excavation without authorisation, the department imposed a penalty at three times the applicable rate.
Road Department Superintendent Engineer Abhijit Ambekar confirmed the action.
The organisation said the same builder had earlier been fined ₹95 lakh for unauthorised road excavation in Susgaon. However, the amount has not yet been deposited with the civic body. Following the latest violation, Rayat Swabhimani has urged the PMC to recover both penalties without further delay.
In a separate case in Baner, a builder obtained permission to excavate roads for laying an electricity line under a Mahavitaran scheme. The builder reportedly received a 50% concession on excavation charges and deposited 50% of the required security amount, which was to be refunded after completion of the work.
The builder had permission to excavate around 2,800 metres of road and completed approximately 1,800 metres within the permitted period. However, the road restoration was reportedly of poor quality, and potholes reappeared after the work.
The affected road falls along the route of the Pune Grand Tour cycling competition, making resurfacing necessary. The PMC has reportedly refused to refund the security deposit because the road may now require fresh asphalting at additional public expense.
Rayat Swabhimani has also alleged that political pressure is being exerted to secure the release of the remaining deposit for unfinished work. The issue has raised concerns about accountability for road restoration and the recovery of public funds when excavation work is carried out without proper authorisation or repairs fail to meet required standards.
