PMC deploys special squads to clear encroachments on footpath

Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has planned special squads to deal with encroachments on footpaths. The team will focus on removing illegal hawkers. It also aims to make footpaths safer for pedestrians. According to civic data, the civic areas have around 20,000 authorised hawkers, while the number of illegal roadside vendors is even higher.

The administration started the process to set up the squad at Kasba Peth and Vishrambaug ward office in the last week and continued to expand it in other areas subsequently. The squad will be equipped with cameras and dedicated vehicles.

“Walking on the roads, especially at the popular market places like FC Road, JM Road and peth areas, is tough. The civic officials should find a permanent solution to deal with this problem. These hawkers are not only causing problems to pedestrians, but also cause traffic jams,” said Rucha Joshi, a regular visitor of FC Road.

“The action against hawkers seems an eyewash. Many local political leaders and their followers support the illegal hawkers. It is leading to an increase in unauthorised hawking. The drive is temporary and hawkers come up at the same locations,” said Vijay Kumbhar, of Surajya Sangharsh Samiti, a citizens group.

According to PMC, the process to review the traders and their work permits is underway. PMC has planned to give trade licences to the roadside vendors from the 34 merged villages. The process to allot permits in 11 merged villages has already started. The documents and other formalities for it are being checked. PMC is coordinating with the then grampanchayats and district administration for the same.

The civic body needs to establish 288 hawker zones to accommodate all vendors. If the hawkers from merged villages are added, they will have to be included either in the existing zones or new zones will have to be created.

“The administration is taking strict steps for the removal of these hawkers. The help of the police department will also be taken,” said Aniruddha Pawaskar, city engineer of PMC.