Bribes, Fines, No Licenses: Why Pune’s Illegal Hawker Crisis Isn’t Going Away
Reported by Kajal Bhukan
Pune, 30th June 2025: A recent encroachment drive near BMCC Road which connects to the bustling FC Road beside the Department of Communication and Journalism at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) — on 25 June Monday demonstrated how persistent the encroaching problem is. Pune’s roadways and sidewalks are becoming overrun by unauthorized hawkers and stalls, which has resulted in heavy traffic, less room for pedestrians, and growing annoyance among locals. Public areas continue to be overcrowded despite a committed staff of 440 officers at the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Encroachment Department, indicating a systemic failure to adequately address the issue.
According to official data, the PMC had issued around 12,000 vendor licenses until 2017, generating ₹11.2 crore in revenue. However, no new licenses have been issued since then, and the number of illegal hawkers has continued to rise. In 2024 alone, the Encroachment Department recorded nearly 48,000 instances of action against illegal vendors. Yet, only ₹87.93 lakh was collected in fines, with full payment received in just 67 cases — raising serious concerns about enforcement and transparency within the department.
“Encroachment Returns Within Days,” Say PMC Officials
“It’s a recurring cycle. We seize stalls and impose fines, but within 15 days, everything returns to the same state,” said a PMC official present during the drive, speaking on condition of anonymity. He added that without sustained monitoring and stricter measures, such operations amount to little more than a temporary fix.
Citizens Struggle as Footpaths Disappear
Local citizens echoed similar frustrations.
“It keeps happening. Shops spill onto the road, people crowd the footpaths, and bikers park anywhere they want. Sometimes, it’s hard just to cross the street,” said a college student navigating the area.
A working professional, who visits the location regularly for lunch, said, “We come here every day, but the crowd and traffic are unbearable. Even though PMC takes action, we know it’s only a matter of time before things go back to how they were.”
Frequent efforts to remove encroachment have been generally unsuccessful due to the lack of long-term remedies, such as clearly defined vendor boundaries, designated hawking zones, and regular follow-up.Residents argue that unless the civic body combines enforcement with long-term planning and routine checks, the issue will persist indefinitely.
Hawkers Speak: “We Pay Everyone, Yet Still Remain Illegal”
Hawkers caught in the crackdown describe a never-ending loop of fines and bribes.
“It’s a continuous process,” said one street vendor. “They seize our stall, we pay the fine, and it starts all over again. We pay the shop owner for space, and then we have to pay the PMC as well. We can’t even get licenses anymore. The fine is around ₹4,000–₹5,000, but if we try to settle it during the seizure, it goes up to ₹7,000–₹8,000.”
Elections Near, Accountability Demanded
With municipal elections approaching, urban encroachment has become a hot-button issue for voters and political parties alike. As Pune’s infrastructure struggles to accommodate its growing population and expanding informal economy, citizens are demanding not only swift action but lasting accountability.
Without systemic reform, experts warn that the clash between vendors, citizens, and civic authorities will continue to play out on Pune’s already congested streets.
