Action to free footpaths of illegal hawkers will continue: civic chief

Pedestrians can hope to enjoy using footpaths as the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday made it clear that it will continue its drive against encroachments on footpaths and roads.

While corporators in PMC were divided over action against illegal hawkers, the PMC commissioner made it clear that he does not mind if all ward offices are overflowing with seized handcarts as long as as footpaths and roads are clear of encroachments.

The general body (GB) meeting at the PMC witnessed a brainstorming discussion regarding action against illegal hawkers encroaching on the streets and footpaths in various areas of the city.

Corporators were divided in their views on the action to be taken. While some corporators demanded strong action against hawkers so that there will not be any more encroachments on footpaths, some corporators demanded that the PMC take a compassionate view towards them as they are poor.

Corporators demanded action specifically against illegal hawkers on Ahmednagar Road, Pune-Satara Road, Fergusson College Road and Peth areas including Laxmi Road.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) corporator Meena Sarwade asked a question regarding action against illegal hawkers after which other corporators including Ranjana Tilekar, Mahendra Pathare and Mahadev Pathare demanded strong action against illegal hawkers encroaching on various streets in the city.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) corporator Rupali Patil, Republican Party of India (RPI) corporator Siddharth Dhende and Ravindra Malvadkar demanded that the PMC take a compassionate view towards these illegal hawkers.
Patil said, “After confiscating handcarts from hawkers, the PMC recovers fines, but it does not return their handcarts, which is unjust.”

In reply, Pathak said, “If we give their handcarts back, they again go to the same place and start their business by encroaching on the streets again. Therefore we have decided not to return seized material to those hawkers who will be encroaching footpaths again and again.

“We do not have problems even if our godowns are overflowing with seized handcarts, but we want streets and footpaths to be free of encroachments.”