‘Nukkad’ – Pune’s First Organized Hawkers Park Comes Up In Kharadi

Kharadi, 7th August 2025: A concept that can become a role model for other areas to follow, the IT Hub of Kharadi gets ‘Nukkad’, the first-ever organized hawkers park in the city. Developed by Panchshil Foundation, the park has come up at S. No.1, Kharadi, on Fountain Road, next to the World Trade Centre. It was ceremoniously handed over to the Pune Municipal Corporation today.

Additional Commissioner of PMC, Prithviraj B. P. took the handover from Atul Chordia of Panchshil. Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar also visited the project today.

Speaking on the occasion Prithviraj B. P. said, “It is an interesting initiative. The city of Pune has over 12000 licensed street vendors. Street vendors are an integral part of the city’s economy and a lot needs to be done for them in terms of providing them with good facilities and suitable environment. We will explore replicating this model at more locations soon. We must look at giving an opportunity to differently abled and transgender people in such a project ”, he opined.

Bapusaheb Pathare, MLA, Wadgaon Sheri said, “Kharadi is developing fast and such a project will add value to the infrastructure. We will take all possible and collective efforts to make Kharadi a model suburb. We will look for collaboration for developing reserved land parcels in Kharadi through CSR.”

Atul Chordia said, “We have tried to showcase a model by developing Nukkad by spending through our CSR initiatives. This model can be replicated by the PMC at various locations in the city of Pune, which has over 2200 plots having some reservation and are waiting for the development.

“The IT hub of Kharadi has created direct jobs for over 3 lakh individuals with an indirect job generation of more than 3 times. So, it surely needs metro connectivity to meet its current and future needs. If we are provided with the land by PMC then we shall develop a playground and public park in Kharadi through CSR. Nukkad shall be maintained by Panchshil Foundation for the next 3 years”, Chordia added.

Nukkad is spread across 86,000 sq. ft. with dedicated vendor zones. It has 120 units comprising 50 open otta for fruit and vegetable vendors, 50 food units and 20 units for essential shopping and services like a bakery, salon and essential utilities such as car and bike repair, locksmith and car wash and also potassium washing area for vegetables. The space also includes containers for florists, souvenir shops, newspaper vendors, and food trucks. Nukkad offers 50 car parking spaces, 150 bike parking spaces and is equipped with male, female and handicap-accessible toilets.

About Nukkad

Nukkad is a thoughtfully planned and designed public space that provides a hygienic, well-planned and user-friendly environment for small vendors to operate. Designed to preserve the spirit of informal street vending while introducing much-needed urban order in an affordable manner, the vendor units here are crafted from discarded shipping containers, thus merging function with eco-conscious design.

The idea of Nukkad was conceived in response to Kharadi’s rapid transformation into a major commercial and IT hub. This growth brought with it increased congestion and a lack of structured public spaces, particularly for small vendors. Recognizing the vital role that they play in the urban ecosystem, the Panchshil Foundation aimed to create a structured, dignified and scalable solution that benefits both the vendors and the community.

Nukkad supports the local community by giving them user-friendly, well-equipped and hygienic workspaces. It aims to help decongest public roads and walkways for better traffic flow and safety, providing for an enhanced pedestrian experience. Moreover, it prevents the proliferation of unauthorized structures and helps reduce encroachments on public roads and footpaths.

The highlight of Nukkad lies in its community-centric approach to urban development. Unlike commercial malls or temporary street markets, Nukkad reimagines the neighbourhood market, giving local vendors a dignified space, safety and visibility. For the community, it offers a curated, hyperlocal experience that celebrates familiarity, accessibility and cultural connection. It also serves as a replicable model for inclusive urban planning across other growing pockets of the city.