Pimpri Chinchwad Societies Allege PCMC Grants NOCs to Non-Compliant Builders, Sparking Outcry

A brewing storm of discontent is engulfing Pimpri Chinchwad, as exasperated housing societies are levelling serious accusations against the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Residents claim the civic body is inexplicably granting No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to developers for new construction projects, even when these builders flagrantly disregard vital environmental, safety, and infrastructure regulations.

This alleged laxity, say residents, is creating an urban planning nightmare, leaving existing communities grappling with inadequate amenities and potential hazards.

The chorus of complaints highlights a disturbing pattern: new residential complexes are reportedly mushrooming across key areas like Wakad, Pimple Saudagar, Ravet, Tathawade, Hinjewadi, Punawale, and Moshi, often without the foundational infrastructure to support them.

Societies are particularly vocal about builders who seemingly bypass essential norms related to parking, waste management, and environmental protection, yet still manage to secure crucial permits from the PCMC.

One of the most egregious violations cited by residents involves the cavalier attitude towards sewage disposal.

Many new constructions, despite obtaining permissions, allegedly fail to establish proper connections to existing sewage networks. The horrifying consequence? Raw sewage is reportedly being discharged directly into stormwater drains or, even worse, into the area's rivers, posing a severe environmental threat and public health risk to an already strained ecosystem.

Beyond environmental concerns, residents are also expressing alarm over safety and quality of life issues.

Developers are accused of neglecting crucial parking provisions, leading to severe congestion on local roads. Furthermore, the mandatory requirements for providing adequate open spaces, green zones, and essential amenities within these new developments are frequently overlooked. Yet, astonishingly, these projects often progress to receiving commencement certificates (CC) and even occupation certificates (OC), effectively green-lighting potentially non-compliant structures for habitation.

Housing society representatives and concerned citizens have formally approached the PCMC's Building Permission Department, detailing their grievances and urging immediate intervention.

They argue that while PCMC officials often assert that new constructions are permitted only after rigorous verification of services and infrastructure availability, the on-ground reality paints a starkly different picture. The residents feel their concerns are falling on deaf ears, or worse, being overridden by a system that prioritizes development over diligent compliance.

This escalating controversy underscores a troubling disconnect between regulatory oversight and practical implementation.

For the residents of Pimpri Chinchwad, the fight is not just about isolated instances of builder malpractice; it's about the very fabric of their urban environment, questioning the integrity of development processes and demanding accountability from the authorities tasked with safeguarding their future.