Pune: Encroachment Worsens in Viman Nagar, Residents Call for Vendor Zones

Viman Nagar, 22nd March 2025: The increasing number of street vendors and hawkers in Viman Nagar is causing severe congestion and traffic issues, with residents urging the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to take immediate action. Despite repeated demands for designated vendor zones, civic authorities have failed to implement necessary measures, said Qaneez Sukhrani, Convenor of the Viman Nagar Citizens Forum (VNCF).

Speaking about the issue, Sukhrani said, “PMC does not seem interested in creating vendor zones, despite us identifying suitable spots and sharing them since 2018. We had a meeting on Thursday where an assurance was given, but no concrete action has been taken yet.”

The rapid increase in hawkers is attributed to the presence of numerous educational institutions, IT companies, and hostels in the area. Residents and civic activists argue that while legal vendors should be relocated to designated spots, illegal encroachments must be removed to ensure smooth traffic movement.

Sukhrani emphasized the need for joint action by the PMC and traffic police. “The hawkers and vendors are severely affecting the free flow of traffic. We have demanded that the traffic police coordinate with the PMC to carry out the necessary action. The union representing these hawkers is powerful and has influence up to the state government level, which is creating additional roadblocks,” she added.

The VNCF has suggested several locations for legal vendor zones, including:

Road along Phoenix Mall (Neco Garden side): Space for at least 50 vendors, currently partially occupied by illegal hawkers. Road along Phoenix Mall (North Court end): A PMC-owned triangle spot that can accommodate around 20 vendors. Area next to Neco NX: Proposed as a dedicated zone for cooked food stalls.
Survey No. 209, near Mata Mandir (opposite Skating Rink): Space for 50 vendors, currently encroached by illegal huts.

Sukhrani stressed that failing to act would only worsen congestion. She urged authorities to adhere to the Maharashtra Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood & Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 and PIL No. 141 of 2023 on Pedestrian Rights to resolve the issue legally.

The citizens have called upon the PMC’s Anti-Encroachment Department and the Traffic Police to collaborate on relocating legal vendors and evicting illegal ones. “PMC must stop writing letters and start taking action,” Sukhrani concluded.