Supreme Court Halts Demolition of 20 Chikhali Bungalows, Gives Residents Temporary Relief
Pune | September 30, 2026: Homeowners of 20 bungalows in Pune's Chikhali area have received temporary relief after the Supreme Court ordered status quo on demolition proceedings linked to the Indrayani river's blue floodline. The September 17 order puts the proposed demolition on hold while the court examines the residents' challenge to the floodline demarcation.
The case highlights the importance of verifying floodline boundaries, building permissions and planning records when purchasing property in areas near rivers and other environmentally sensitive zones.
Supreme Court Puts Demolition Proceedings on Hold
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale directed all parties to maintain status quo concerning the 20 residential structures at Moi Phata in Chikhali. The court also issued notices to the concerned stakeholders, including the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) and Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 9, 2026.
The order provides temporary protection against demolition while the legal proceedings continue. It does not amount to a final ruling on whether the structures comply with applicable regulations.
Why the National Green Tribunal Ordered Demolition
The dispute originated from an application filed before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2023 by a Pimpri-Chinchwad resident, who alleged that the structures near Moi Phata were obstructing the natural flow of the Indrayani river.
A joint committee comprising officials from the irrigation department, Pune district collectorate and PCMC inspected the site. It reported that all 20 structures fell within the river's blue floodline.
The committee also found that the adjoining Ram Zara nullah fell within both the blue and red floodline zones. It observed that the constructions and the nullah could obstruct water flow during a flood event with a 25-year return period.
On August 13, 2026, the NGT directed PCMC to identify structures within the blue floodline and demolish those found to be within the zone within three months, after giving affected residents an opportunity to be heard.
Residents Challenge the Floodline Demarcation
The bungalow owners have challenged the identification of their properties as falling within the blue floodline. They contend that subsequent revisions to PCMC's draft development plan placed their structures outside the designated boundary.
Residents have also pointed to the civic amenities and records associated with their properties. They said the houses had been assigned property numbers, assessed for property tax and connected to electricity supplied by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited.
PCMC, however, had informed the NGT that the structures in Gat numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 were built without the required permissions between January and November 2022. The corporation had issued notices and initiated demolition action against four structures covering approximately 441 square metres.
The competing claims over permissions and floodline boundaries remain part of the dispute.
PCMC Had Begun Proceedings Before Supreme Court Intervention
Following the NGT's order, PCMC issued notices to the affected property owners and began hearings. A senior civic official said the proceedings were halted after the Supreme Court's intervention.
The Supreme Court's status quo order temporarily prevents further action concerning the properties while the case is pending. The final outcome will depend on the court's consideration of the residents' claims and the applicable planning and environmental regulations.
Earlier Demolition in Chikhali Adds Context
The case follows earlier demolition action in the same area. In May 2025, PCMC demolished 36 bungalows in Chikhali over alleged construction within the Indrayani river's floodline. That action followed an NGT order subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court.
The latest dispute concerns a separate group of 20 structures at Moi Phata. The earlier demolition does not determine the outcome of the current proceedings.
What the Case Means for Property Buyers
The dispute underlines the need for buyers to check more than building permissions when purchasing homes near rivers or other flood-prone areas. Floodline demarcation, approved development plans and environmental restrictions can also affect a property's legal and development status.
Prospective buyers in such locations should verify the property's approved plans, relevant municipal records and applicable floodline maps with the concerned authorities. They should also check whether any notices or legal proceedings are pending against the property.
For the affected bungalow owners, the Supreme Court's order provides temporary relief from demolition. However, the final legal position remains unresolved, with the next hearing scheduled for December 9, 2026.