Demolition of unauthorized structures along Pune’s NH-48 service road clears the path for much-needed expansion, highlighting the challenge of balancing progress with community impact. — puneripages.in
On August 12, 2025, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) took a big step toward solving Pune’s worsening traffic problems by demolishing 110 unauthorized structures along the service roads of NH-48. This might sound like just another infrastructure update — but behind those numbers lie real stories of families and small businesses uprooted, livelihoods lost, and communities disrupted. It’s a reminder that progress often comes with a human price.
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Why did PCMC have to demolish these buildings?
These 110 structures were blocking the expansion of the NH-48 service roads between the Pavana River Bridge and the Mula River Bridge — a busy 7 km stretch. PCMC officials, including Assistant Municipal Commissioner Atul Patil, confirmed that they sent notices to the owners asking them to remove their buildings voluntarily. When that didn’t happen, demolition became necessary. Heavy machinery cleared the way for the planned widening.
The structures were classified as unauthorized, which makes the demolitions legal — but that doesn’t make it any easier for the people who lost their homes or shops.
What is this NH-48 service road widening project all about?
NH-48 is a crucial highway connecting Mumbai and Bengaluru, and in the Pune region, the service roads running alongside it are just 12 meters wide — far too narrow for the traffic they handle. Local vehicles get pushed onto the main highway, causing dangerous jams and bottlenecks.
The plan is to widen these roads to 24 meters, double their current width. The project, led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) with PCMC’s help, will also improve drainage and install better stormwater and utility systems. This will reduce flooding and accidents, especially in areas like Punawale, Tathwade, Kiwale, and Wakad.
PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh said, “We had to clear the encroachments first to start construction. We’re coordinating closely with NHAI to finalize designs for stormwater and drainage.” Construction is expected to start after the monsoon season, possibly by late 2025.
Who really got affected by this demolition drive?
The number “110” is more than just a statistic. It’s 110 families and small businesses who suddenly found their lives upended.
Many of the demolished buildings were small shops, tea stalls, or modest homes — places people had built and lived in for years. Some residents told me how hard it was to watch their livelihoods disappear overnight.
One shop owner’s relative shared, “We begged them not to demolish our shops, but no one listened.” A young student from the area expressed a deep fear: “The thought of that massive highway right above where our neighborhood used to be terrifies me.”
Where there was once life and community, now there is rubble and silence — a painful but necessary step for the city’s growth.
What happened next and what can residents expect?
Before demolishing, PCMC sent legal notices asking owners to remove their buildings. Since these were unauthorized structures, no immediate compensation was announced, though government rehabilitation schemes may offer some help.
With the land cleared, PCMC will soon invite contractors to bid for the road construction. The plan is to first build the new widened road, then divert traffic and rebuild the old road. Residents can track progress through official PCMC and NHAI updates.
Balancing growth and humanity
This is Pune’s challenge in a nutshell — how to grow and modernize while not leaving people behind. The NH-48 widening is vital for safer, smoother travel and reducing floods, but the faces behind those 110 demolished structures remind us that development is never just about concrete and asphalt. It’s about people, their homes, and their hopes.
As the city pushes forward, the hope is that future projects will find a better balance — one that lifts everyone, including those who face the hardest disruptions.
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