Pune: PMC Launches Major Drive Against Road Encroachments and Illegal Vendors

Pune’s civic body is cracking down on illegal street vendors and encroachments in a major city-wide drive. The action, which took place on Wednesday, targeted five key areas of the city to clear footpaths and roads that have been taken over by unauthorized businesses.

The drive was carried out on the orders of the Municipal Commissioner and was led by Sandip Khalate, the Deputy Commissioner of the Encroachment Removal department. It wasn’t a small operation; teams included officials from the local ward offices, town planning department, and even support from the local police and Maharashtra Security Force personnel.

So, what exactly were they targeting? The focus was on several types of violations. This included stalls and shops that were illegally built on the “front margin” or “side margin” of properties, effectively narrowing the roads. They also took action against street vendors operating without permission or, crucially, those who had a license but were breaking its rules.

Many vendors with permits were found to be violating the terms by not operating themselves (instead using sub-tenants), not staying in their designated spot, or using unauthorized cooking gas cylinders, which is a significant safety hazard.

The areas covered in this large-scale action were under the jurisdiction of the Nagar Road (Wadgaon Sheri), Aundh-Baner, Dhankawadi-Sahakarnagar, Hadapsar-Mundhwa, and Kasba-Vishrambaugwada ward offices.

This initiative seems to be a clear message from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that it is getting serious about reclaiming public spaces and ensuring that roads and footpaths are clear and safe for pedestrians and motorists alike.