Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s anti-encroachment drive demolishes 5,000 shops; 80% of affected belong to Muslim community
Mohammad bin Ismail | Clarion India
NEW DELHI — A massive anti-encroachment drive by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) in Pune’s Maharashtra has left the bustling business hubs of Chikhli, Kudalwadi, Jadhuwadi, Hargode Vasti, and Pawar Vasti in ruins. Since February 8, bulldozers have razed over 5,000 shops, warehouses, and small businesses, disrupting a supply chain critical to Maharashtra’s automobile and scrap industries. The demolition has sparked widespread outrage, with allegations of targeted action against small business owners, particularly from the Muslim community.
The demolition has hit Kudalwadi particularly hard, where an estimated Rs 1,000 crore business ecosystem has been upended. The area, known for supplying spare parts to the automobile industry, now lies in shambles. Local shopkeepers, many of whom are from the Muslim community, claim they were given no prior warning before their livelihoods were destroyed.
“We have been running our businesses here for 30 to 40 years. No one ever told us this could happen,” said Mohammed Salman, a scrap dealer whose shop was reduced to rubble. “This feels like an earthquake has hit us. Everything is gone.”
The operation has not only disrupted businesses but also raised fears of widespread unemployment. According to reports, at least one lakh people could lose their jobs as a result of the demolitions. The ripple effect is being felt across Maharashtra, with the supply of raw materials to small industries grinding to a halt.
The PCMC’s actions have sparked allegations of ulterior motives. Locals claim that land prices in the 1,000-acre area of Chikhli and Kudalwadi have skyrocketed, with builders allegedly offering double the market rate to acquire the land. The demolished shops were located on land owned by local villagers, who had rented the space to businessmen.
“Why is the Municipal Corporation suddenly so interested in this area?” questioned a local resident. “There are important buildings like the Police Commissionerate, District Court, and an under-construction Government Engineering College nearby. Is this drive really about encroachments, or is it about clearing the land for builders and the political elite?”
The Kudalwadi area, home to 1,500 scrap shops spread across 250 acres, is a vital hub for the bhangar (scrap) trade. The demolition has left the industry in disarray, with businessmen struggling to cope with the sudden loss of their establishments.
“This is not just about shops being demolished; it’s about lives being destroyed,” said Amina Sheikh, whose warehouse was demolished. “We are not encroachers. We pay rent, we pay taxes. Why were we not given a chance to relocate or at least save our goods?”
The demolition drive has also drawn sharp political reactions. NCP leader and former Maharashtra Minister Jitendra Awhad criticized the action, saying, “The bulldozer operation appears to be selective. The government is targeting one section of society under the guise of encroachment. If this is really about illegal occupation, why are similar actions not taken against big builders?”
Congress MLA Hussain Dalwai also condemned the move, stating, “It is clear that Muslim businesses are being deliberately targeted. This demolition drive is part of a broader agenda to weaken our economic base. We demand immediate rehabilitation and compensation for the affected families.”
Despite the outrage, PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh defended the operation, stating, “This is a routine anti-encroachment drive. All necessary legal procedures were followed. The affected shopkeepers were occupying land illegally, and action was taken accordingly.”
However, critics argue that the administration failed to provide prior notice and due process, violating the fundamental rights of the affected business owners.
As the dust settles, the PCMC’s bulldozer operation has left behind a trail of anger, despair, and unanswered questions. With livelihoods shattered and families facing an uncertain future, the people of Kudalwadi are demanding accountability and justice.
“This is not development; this is devastation,” said a local activist Mohammad Farooque. “The government needs to answer for this.”
The PCMC has yet to respond to the allegations or provide a clear plan for rehabilitating the affected businessmen. For now, the once-thriving markets of Kudalwadi stand silent, a stark reminder of the human cost of urban “development.”
With rising tensions, political parties and activist groups are expected to challenge the legality of the demolitions and push for judicial intervention. Calls for an impartial inquiry into the municipal corporation’s actions are growing, as business owners and civil rights groups demand compensation and rehabilitation for the affected families.
