Workers’ Federation Takes Out ‘Housing Rights March’ to PCMC

• Protesters enter civic headquarters after delegation is not called for talks; Commissioner to meet representatives on Friday

Pimpri : The Kashtakari Sangharsh Mahasangh on Thursday took out a massive ‘Housing Rights March’ to the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), demanding construction of 10,000 houses, immediate possession of homes for beneficiaries of the Kiwale housing project and resolution of pending housing-related issues.

The march was led by Mahasangh president Kashinath Nakhate and saw participation from a large number of beneficiaries, workers and citizens. The protesters also demanded that ordinary citizens should not be made to bear the financial burden arising from the municipal corporation’s alleged lapses.

The PCMC had invited applications for houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at Ravet in 2020. Several workers, labourers and economically weaker citizens were found eligible under the scheme. At the time, the cost of a house was fixed at Rs 6.95 lakh. However, according to the Mahasangh, due to delays in taking possession of the land and subsequent construction-related issues, the project could not progress as planned.

The civic body subsequently decided to provide houses to the eligible beneficiaries through its Kiwale housing project. However, the cost of the houses increased to Rs 13 lakh. Despite financial difficulties, beneficiaries accepted the increased cost in the hope of fulfilling their dream of owning a house.

Nakhate said the draw for the Kiwale housing project was held on December 15, 2025. However, more than six months later, beneficiaries are still waiting for possession of their homes. Several beneficiaries have allegedly been paying bank loan instalments for the past four to five months despite not having received possession.

“The financial burden on beneficiaries is increasing and they are facing mental and economic stress. Different reasons related to documents, approvals and administrative procedures are being cited for delaying possession,” Nakhate said, questioning whether the housing scheme had become a “scheme of illusion” for beneficiaries.

He alleged that the municipal corporation’s poor planning and administrative lapses had stalled the dreams of thousands of working-class citizens seeking affordable housing.

The march began after garlanding the statue of Puneet Ahilyabai Holkar and proceeded towards the PCMC headquarters. After reaching the civic headquarters, the march turned into a protest meeting.

However, protesters alleged that the municipal administration initially did not call the delegation for discussions. Following this, some protesters entered the civic headquarters and continued their protest and slogan shouting on the staircase.

Additional Commissioners Kuldeep Jangam and Anna Bodde subsequently held discussions with representatives of the Mahasangh.

The delegation demanded immediate possession of houses under the Kiwale project, construction of 10,000 houses, waiver of stamp duty and completion of the registration process, provision of basic amenities in the housing project and financial assistance to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.

The Mahasangh also demanded that beneficiaries should not be burdened with loan instalments arising from the delay in handing over possession. It demanded that the municipal corporation bear the bank loan instalments paid by beneficiaries until possession is handed over, citing the alleged delay on the part of the civic body.

Jangam said the process for seeking a waiver of stamp duty was being pursued positively. He assured the delegation that a meeting would be held with PCMC Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi on Friday to take a final decision regarding possession of the houses and the stamp duty waiver.

Following the assurance, the protesters temporarily suspended their agitation.

Chetan Gaikwad, Rajesh Mane, Kanhabhau Vharkate, Amrut Patil, Sakharam Kedar, Shubhangi Chavan, Asha Jadhav, Bhagwat Nagpure, Angad Mungale, Priti Gohad, Vicky Bhat and Jitendra Mahajan were among those present, along with a large number of beneficiaries and citizens.