In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that there are as many as 40,000 illegal construction in areas under the Pimpri-Chinchwad New Township Development (PCNTDA), better known as Pradhikaran. The fact, which was brought forth by a six-month survey, has apparently caused "tremors" in PCNTDA and also the divisional commissionerate. The huge number of illegal constructions has put a question mark on the way officials of the PCNTDA functioned over the years, allowing usurping of official land even as they shut their eyes, civic activists say.

The survey -- done by a private firm and commissioned by Pradhikaran itself -- has revealed that on nearly 300 hectares of PCNTDA land, there are 40,000 illegal constructions that have come up in last one decade. In 1998 survey, it was revealed that there were 6000 illegal constructions.

As of today, the illegal constructions actually are spread on 500 hectares of land involving an amount of Rs 2000 crore, officials said. PCNTDA chief executive officer Suhas Divse said the survey was conducted to understand the magnitude of problem. "We are still compiling the figure. We do not know the actual figure of illegal constructions," he said. The survey was conducted in Wakad, Chinchwad, Thergaon, Rahatni, Dhavdevasti in Bhosari, Kudalwadi, Sanevasti and Ravet. In some areas like Walhekerwadi and Chinchwadenagar, the survey could not be carried out due to opposition from the residents.

Divisional Commissioner Dilip Band, who has earned the nick name demolition man after his unrelenting actions in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Aurangabad, has however refused to comment as to what action he proposes to take against the illegal constructions. "Wait and see," that's what he said when asked whether his office intended to demolish the illegal constructions in Pradhikaran areas. "I am not going to tell you anything...whether there is going to be any action or not. I will keep up mum or else my words will be misinterpreted," Band said. When told that he will not act since assembly elections are around the corner, Band said action will be taken, when it has to be taken. "But I can't say anything now." Band again refused to comment when asked whether there will be a replay of what he did in Pimpri-Chinchwad and Aurangabad. When asked whether PCNTDA should be dissolved in view of the latest survey highlighting serious problems of negligence, Band said, "Dismiss it." Refusing to reveal anything, Band finally said the best person to answer the going-ons in Pradhikaran was its CEO.

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