Illegal hawkers and stalls have taken over footpaths and roads across the city, leaving Punekars frustrated with severe traffic congestion and reduced pedestrian space. Despite having a dedicated staff of 440 in the encroachment department for 15 ward offices, the visual story of the city choked due to encroachments reveals that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has failed in addressing the rampant encroachment problem.

According to official data, the PMC issued 12,000 licenses to vendors till 2017, and no licenses have been issued post-2017, collecting ₹11.2 crores in fees.

Nearly 48,000 penalties were imposed for illegal encroachments in 2024, but only ₹87.93 lakh was collected in fines and only 67 penalties were collected in 2024, raising concerns about corruption and inefficiency within the department.

Residents speak up

Residents have voiced their anger over the worsening situation. Rahul More, another resident at Yerawada, argued that the disparity between the number of penalties issued and fines collected is indicative of deep-rooted corruption within the PMC’s encroachment department. “The data shows that enforcement is inconsistent and ineffective," he added.

Sandeep Jadhaw, a resident at Bharti Vidyapeeth, speaking to Free Press Journal, said, “Chaupati near Trimurti Chowk roads are already narrow, and now hawkers have occupied footpaths and key road areas. Pedestrians are forced to walk on the roads, risking accidents. The PMC claims to take action, but the problem only seems to be getting worse. Unlicensed holders have set up their stalls beside the licensed ones, leading to overcrowding."

Illegal stalls return in a week

Sneha Patil, a resident at Kondhwa, criticized, “We see the PMC staff conducting drives, but the illegal stalls return within days, paying the nominal charges. This shows the failure of the department if they cannot provide a permanent solution. Near Kamela in Loola Nagar Chowk, a lot of hawkers have encroached on the footpaths. It feels like the encroachment department is just going through the motions and has a settlement with a fixed amount per month."

Hanif Shaikh, a resident at Bibwewadi, speaking to FPJ, said, "A lot of encroachments have been done on Satara Road, near and opposite the Dhankawadi regional office of PMC. Still, no action is being taken, and people are left suffering from traffic congestion on the road. PMC officials are either turning a blind eye to illegal hawkers or pocketing bribes to allow them to operate."

Somnath Bankar, Deputy Commissioner (Encroachment / Illegal Construction Removal Department), said, "Our team is consistently taking action against the encroachers. No new license has been issued post-2017. Fining them is the only provision to curb these illegal stalls on roads and footpaths. Due to two important elections occurring in 2024 in Pune, the action against the encroachers counts less. However, we continuously take action against rule violators."