Pune | Pimpri-Chinchwad | Special Reporter : A recent fire broke out at a scrap shop in Moi, located near the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation boundary. This incident brought back memories of the demolition drives carried out in Kudalwadi to curb illegal encroachments. The increasing fire incidents, along with the threat to national security and pollution of the Indrayani River, have highlighted that the action taken in Kudalwadi was indeed necessary.

Kudalwadi, which was once a green area, is now an industrially polluted zone. Historically, it was part of the village where the great Sant Tukaram Maharaj once placed his ‘tala’ (a traditional measure). The village is home to the ancient Bhairavnath Maharaj Temple. It was once known for its farming, dairy production, and rural lifestyle.

Around 40 years ago, the main livelihood of the locals was agriculture and dairy farming. The establishment of Hindustan Antibiotics in 1954 marked the beginning of industrial growth in Pimpri-Chinchwad, with more companies setting up shop in the 1960s and 70s, including Bajaj, Telco, Bajaj Tempo, Premier, Ruston, Adwani, and Kinetic Engineering. Up until that time, Kudalwadi remained green with agricultural fields. However, in just 30 to 40 years, it has become a polluted area, and the reasons for this shift need to be examined.

The ‘Scrap Village’ Migration

Previously, industrial waste from the Pimpri-Chinchwad MIDC area was dumped in Akurdi, where a “scrap village” emerged. However, as the industrial area expanded, scrap dealers began migrating to Kudalwadi. Geographically, Kudalwadi’s proximity to the industrial zone led to the establishment of small industries supplying parts for industrial companies. Scrap traders started renting or purchasing land in Kudalwadi, which slowly earned the reputation of being a “scrap hub.”

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Has Kudalwadi Lost Its Rural Identity?

The influx of scrap businesses caused the loss of Kudalwadi’s rural charm. The Muslim population in the area grew significantly, leading to communal tensions. This in turn fostered criminal activities. The link between national security issues and the pollution of the Indrayani River started becoming evident in Kudalwadi. After Kudalwadi was incorporated into the municipal corporation, urbanization increased rapidly. Frequent fires, large plumes of smoke, air pollution, water contamination, and noise pollution became a significant issue, troubling the local residents and society members. Unauthorised constructions flourished in the area, and the rural essence of Kudalwadi seemed to fade away, as noted by longtime residents.

One of the Largest Demolition Drives in the Country

On February 7, 2025, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation began a massive demolition drive. In just 8 to 10 days, around 900 acres of encroachments were cleared. In December 2024, a devastating fire broke out in Kudalwadi. The incident caused a stir in the Legislative Assembly, where local MLA Mahesh Landge raised concerns about the illegal scrap shops and their impact on national security, illegal activities, and the pollution of the Indrayani River. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took serious note of this issue, leading to one of the largest demolition drives in the country’s history. The transformation of Kudalwadi from a spiritual and green area to a polluted “scrap hub” seems to have reached its end. In a sense, Kudalwadi is now on the brink of a “rebirth,” symbolizing the possibility of a fresh start.

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