Illegal resorts, hotels near dam to be demolished soon

The Pune Water Resources department has issued final notices to 23 people for illegal encroachment near the Khadakwasla dam, which includes hotels, resorts and temporary structures, as it was found that these structures were polluting the dam area.

- Siddharth Gadkari

To stop encroachers from getting a stay order from the courts, caveats have been filed in both the district and high courts.

Taking serious note of the complaints about the growing encroachments in the area, Water Resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil had recently assured that a drone survey would be carried out to assess the extent of the encroachments and identify the encroachers. Based on this survey, 23 structures were identified for demolition.

The first notice was issued on April 25 and the final one on July 25 to the owners of the 23 structures. The department is now preparing for the demolition drive in coordination with the Pune Municipal Corporation and police department.