Akshay Acharya, Pune
Pune Railway Division administration, with the help of Pune Police, carried out a 2-day drive to evict the encroachers occupying the Central Railway residential quarters on Tadiwala road in Pune illegally. The drive took place on August 22nd and 23rd. The quarters were not in use by the railway officials due to their deteriorated condition.
A press release by Central Railways stated that “All the doors and windows of the ground floor quarters have been removed and the toilets destroyed to completely prevent unauthorized entry of outsiders into the vacant railway building/quarters in the area. The doors of all the railway quarters on the upper floors of the building were locked with iron rods and the water and electric supply was disconnected.”
They further added, “Railway employees staying in the rest of the quarters will be shifted to other places. A cement wall will be built to block the stairs leading to the upper floors of these buildings.”
Earlier, a police investigation revealed that there was a tussle between criminal gangs in the area over the illegal possession and renting out of the quarters for a while. It also led to the murder of Nitin Mhaske, a gang leader. The investigation further suggested that Mhaske and his rival, Sagar Kolanatti, alias Yella, wanted to control the illegal activity.
Ramdas Bhise, Divisional Commercial Manager, who also looks after public relations said, “On Tuesday, thirteen quarters were evacuated. Another four were evacuated on Wednesday. On Thursday, checks were carried out on 64 quarters but no one was found. Apparently, people living illegally got information about the drive and they left. The drive will continue.”