70 dangerous wadas to be razed

Pune: After launching a drive to demolish dilapidated compound walls, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has diverted its attention to demolish dangerous wadas in the heart of the city. Following the collapse of a part of a two-storied wada in Shukrawar Peth area, the PMC demolished the entire structure. The civic body has announced a plan to demolish more than 70 dangerous wadas on priority basis.

According to the procedure, the civic body issues two notices to occupants of all dilapidated structures in May and June every year. This year, after three compound wall collapse incidents, it has sent a third notice to all dilapidated structures. 

In the majority of structures, the tenants prefer to continue to live there as they fear losing their claim on the property and there is no alternate arrangement for them to shift. 

Six families moved 
On Monday, two incidents of wada collapse were reported. One is in Shukrawar Peth and another in Kumbharwada in Kasba Peth area. After that, the civic body demolished dangerous parts of remaining wada structures. 

In the first incident reported near Rashtrabhusan Chowk in Shukrawar Peth, a portion of a two-storey wada where three families were living, collapsed. Six family members were moved to safety by PMC and fire brigade officials. The incident was reported on Monday morning. Afterwards, the PMC demolished the entire structure. In another incident, reported in Kasba Peth, a wall of a wada collapsed. In both incidents, there was no human casualty. 

Superintendent Engineer of building permission and control department, Rajendra Raut said, “We have issued notices to owners of 350 wadas so far. We have initiated action to demolish structures that are in a dangerous condition. More than 80 dilapidated properties including wadas have been demolished in one month. Now, we have planned to demolish more than 70 dangerous structures in peth areas.”

A PMC official said, “The State government has issued guidelines in 2015 to provide certificate to tenants in wadas in dilapidated condition, for securing tenants’ rights as well as to encourage tenants to vacate the dangerous structures. However, only 80 tenants have taken certificate from the civic body in last four years. Tenants want to shift to transit camps. However, it is not PMC’s responsibility, as they are living on private property.” 

Wadas in C-1 category 
The government has made four categories: Very dangerous (C-1), repair structure with vacating (C-2A), repair structure without vacating (C-2B), minor repairing of structure (C-3). 

The civic body will have to issue notices to tenants living in C-1 category structures about their status and repairing work. 

All these structures are located in Shukrawar Peth, Ravivar Peth, Sadashiv and Navi Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Narayan Peth, Somwar Peth, Mangalwar Peth, Budhwar Peth, Rasta Peth, Bhavani Peth, Ghorpade Peth, Nana Peth, Ganesh Peth, Kasba Peth, Guruwar Peth and Mahatma Phule Peth.