The revenue department has removed encroachment from a government stream at Bhoramla in Awasari Khurd, Ambegaon taluka, after the blocked watercourse caused rainwater to enter farmland, damaged a well and disrupted traffic on the Gaymukh-Bhoramla-Awasari Khurd road in Pune district.
The action was carried out on Monday following complaints from farmers who said that nine to 10 plot holders had encroached on the stream and obstructed its natural flow. The complaints were submitted to the Ghodgaon tehsildar’s office on April 23 by farmers Nivrutti Bhor, Hanumant Bhor and others.
The revenue department subsequently issued notices to the alleged encroachers. However, the concerned parties did not attend the hearing, according to the report. On June 9, in-charge tehsildar Dr Sachin Wagh directed circle officer Aarti Khare to remove the encroachment.
Khare later served another notice instructing the encroachers to remove the structures at their own expense within eight days. The notice warned that the department would take action on Monday if they failed to comply.
The encroachment holders approached the sub-divisional officer seeking a stay on the action. The farmers opposed the request, citing flooding, damage to a well and the closure of the road as evidence of the obstruction’s impact. Tehsildar Rahul Sarang also inspected the site. The requested stay was not granted.
The removal operation was conducted in the presence of Khare, police personnel from the Manchar police station, talathi Ramdas Kedari, former sarpanch Prasad Karale, former deputy sarpanch Surendra Bhor, police patil Santosh Shinde, local residents and other officials. A JCB machine was used to clear the encroachment from the stream.
The action restored access to the affected watercourse and provided relief to farmers in the area, according to the report. The blocked stream had affected both agricultural land and the adjoining road, linking the matter to local drainage, rural connectivity and the administration of government land.
Archana Tambe, sub-divisional officer of the Junnar-Ambegaon division, said illegal mineral transport and encroachment on government land would not be tolerated in Ambegaon and Junnar talukas. She said action against those violating the rules would continue in accordance with regulations.
