Curation Team
PUNE: The civic body has started disconnecting water connections to dilapidated wadas, particularly in the peth areas, as occupants refuse to vacate the structures considered risky to live in despite repeated warnings.
Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has identified 37 such properties for the action and sought assistance from police in the compulsory evacuation of the residents. Letters have also been sent to Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (MSEDCL) regarding connections to such wadas, a senior PMC official said.
Data available with the authorities showed that the PMC and fire brigade register 40-45 cases of such wadas getting damaged or their walls collapsing every year, mostly during the rainy season. Most of such incidents in the recent past have been reported in the peth areas and also in the Satara Road, Sinhagad Road, Shivajinagar localities and the gaothan areas of Kothrud of Hadapsar.
The civic body has categorised the dilapidated structures in three categories — C1, C2, and C3. The most dangerous of such buildings are classified in C1 category, while those requiring major repairs are the C2 type. The C3-category structures need minor repairs.
The PMC issued notices to 103 properties ahead of this monsoon. “We started disconnecting water connections to the dilapidated wadas last month. Some of the tenants gave us in writing that they are ready to face any eventuality but will not vacate the properties. This does not solve the problem, as any eventuality leads to law and order issues. The administration has sought police intervention in such cases,” said a senior PMC official.
Another PMC official said initiative to provide tenancy certificates for the residents of dilapidated wadas was evoking a poor response. “The tenancy certificate is a unique initiative of PMC to assure tenancy rights for tenants of the dilapidated wadas. However, many such tenants have their reservations about the certificates. They raise doubts about the utility of the certificates and continue to stay in the dangerous buildings, despite repeated warnings,” he said.
PMC started issuing the tenancy certificates around 10 years ago to resolve legal tussles between the property owners and occupants of such buildings. Many tenants said they did not vacate the dilapidated buildings apprehending that they may lose their rights over the properties.
“Many of us are not aware of the certificates. There should be assurance that we will get our space back even after the redevelopment of the property,” said Abhay Joshi, a peth area resident.
Many of the rundown wadas were located at prime locations in the heart of the city, including Sadashiv Peth, Narayan Peth, Ganesh Peth, Ganj Peth, Somwar Peth, Kasba Peth, Ghorpade Peth and Mangalwar Peth.
“Forceful eviction of tenants is unjust. Many of them are living in dangerous conditions because they cannot afford high rents at other places. Makeshift arrangements should be made for these tenants,” said Vishal Dhanwande, a peth area resident and former corporator.
