Court stays demolition in Bhosari Red Zone in Pune

The court of joint civil judge (senior division), AN Mare, on Monday issued a stay till July 20 on the demolition of 250-odd houses and constructions in the no-development 'Red Zone' around the Dighi magazine depot near Bhosari.

Some local residents had moved the court against the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's (PCMC) plans to demolish constructions within 610 metres of the Dighi depot of the Ammunition Factory, Khadki.

Advocate Manoj Nayak, representing the residents in court, told DNA the court had issued the stay order till July 20. The PCMC engineering department spokesperson, Dilip Kudale, also confirmed the development.

The PCMC had initially decided to demolish the houses last Friday and Saturday, but deferred it till Monday following the blasts in Mumbai.

Pune divisional commissioner Dilip Band had directed the PCMC to take action against the illegal constructions last week after a meeting with municipal commissioner Ashish Sharma and defence officials.

The Red Zone is an area surrounding a military establishment, with a radius of 1,145 metres, where civil construction is not allowed. The PCMC plans to take action against constructions within 610 metres. Residents and political leaders in the area have been demanding that the radius be reduced further.