In a dramatic twist during a routine anti-encroachment operation in Pimpri Chinchwad, thousands of residents staged a ‘Rasta Roko’ protest at Kudalwadi after Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) officials arrived to carry out the drive in the area.

Anti-encroachment actions often spark tension between civic authorities and the affected locals. As a result, the PCMC typically brings local police forces along for such operations. The protest in Kudalwadi, however, escalated, with thousands of people standing against the PCMC’s actions.

Businesses in Chikhali, Kudalwadi, Pawar Vasti, and Jadhavwadi received notices from the PCMC few days ago, instructing them to demolish any illegal structures within 15 days. The crackdown took place on Wednesday, with business owners expressing alarm over the potential closure of their long-standing operations.

These businesses, some of which have been running for 25 to 30 years, are now suddenly labeled as illegal by the PCMC. The owners, who claimed that they have been paying taxes and dues regularly, fear that the closure of these small road-side businesses could result in job losses for thousands of workers.

Earlier this month, a team from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) conducted an anti-encroachment drive on Wednesday, demolishing unauthorised constructions in the Wakad and Dange Chowk areas.

The encroachment was done in the Wakad area. All illegal construction hwas demolished. Before that, PCMC had sent notice to the people who were doing the construction and gave them 2 days to vacate the place.

Encroachment is a persistent issue that often sparks complaints from residents to authorities, as it severely disrupts the functioning of public spaces. Illegal structures and unauthorized occupation of footpaths obstruct pedestrian movement, making it difficult for people to navigate safely. These encroachments not only tarnish the aesthetics of the city but also contribute to unsanitary conditions and the rise of illegal activities in affected areas. In response, civic bodies are tasked with taking action to remove such encroachments to maintain order, enhance public safety, and ensure the overall well-being of the community. However, these operations often meet with resistance from those affected, leading to tensions between the authorities and residents.