The matter is slated for hearing on Dec 9
Pune: Supreme Court has ordered ‘status quo’ on the proposed demolition of 20 residential structures at Moi Phata in Chikhali, providing temporary relief to the occupants facing civic action after a National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive in Aug. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale, in an order dated Sept 17, directed all parties to maintain status quo and issued notices to stakeholders, including Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). The matter is slated for hearing on Dec 9. The apex court noted the occupants’ contention that the 20 structures fell outside Indrayani river’s blue floodline under the draft development plan of PCMC following subsequent revisions. The relief comes against the backdrop of an Aug 13 NGT order directing PCMC, in consultation with the irrigation department, to identify and demolish structures falling within the river’s blue floodline zone within three months after granting affected residents an opportunity to be heard. The dispute originates from a 2023 application filed before NGT by Pimpri Chinchwad resident Gopal Kachave, who alleged that the structures at Moi Phata were obstructing the natural flow of Indrayani river. The committee reported that all 20 structures were located within the blue floodline. It also found that the adjoining Ram Zara nullah fell within both blue and red floodline zones and observed that the constructions and the nullah could impede water flow during a 25-year return period flood event. PCMC had informed the tribunal that the houses, located in Gat numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 in Chikhali, were constructed without requisite permissions between Jan and Nov 2022. In May 2025, PCMC demolished 36 bungalows in Chikhali over alleged construction within Indrayani river’s floodline after an NGT order that was later upheld by Supreme Court.
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A senior PCMC official said notices had already been issued and hearings were under way, but further proceedings had been halted following Supreme Court’s intervention. During the proceedings, the tribunal constituted a joint committee comprising officials from the irrigation department, Pune district collectorate and PCMC to conduct a site inspection. PCMC had issued notices and initiated demolition action against four structures covering around 441sqm. Residents, however, challenged the floodline demarcation, citing subsequent govt directions for a fresh survey and re-determination of the blue and red flood lines. They also argued that the structures had been assigned house numbers by PCMC, assessed for property tax and provided electricity connections by MSEDCL. Download the TOI App.
The case follows earlier action in the area.