Pune: Unauthorized Vendors Return Soon After PMC Drive in Viman Nagar

Viman Nagar, 9th May 2025: Despite fresh action by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) against encroachments across multiple city areas, unauthorized vendors and structures have returned to roads and footpaths within hours—raising serious concerns over the effectiveness and sustainability of the civic body’s drive.

PMC’s Anti-Encroachment and Construction Department teams removed unauthorized stalls, handcarts, and vendors from key areas including Vadgaon Sheri, Viman Nagar, Kharadi, and Sinhagad Road. However, locals reported that vendors reoccupied the same spaces soon after the civic teams left. Photos shared on social media showed footpaths and roads again blocked by hawkers and handcarts, frustrating pedestrians and motorists alike.

This cycle of removal and re-encroachment has cast doubt on the commitment and long-term strategy of the municipal administration. Residents argue that unless stringent follow-up measures are implemented, such drives serve little purpose beyond temporary optics.

An honest PMC officer was about to take action against illegal vendors in Viman Nagar.

But a man in a black shirt with white scarf handed him a phone to speak to “someone” — and suddenly, action was dropped. Everyone else was removed, but not him.

Who was on that call?
Why the… pic.twitter.com/V0mAvRbd5m

— Ravi (@DefenceBrat) May 9, 2025

Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Khalate, who led the operations, admitted to the challenge of sustaining these efforts. “The Municipal Corporation is taking action against encroachments, but before taking action, the unauthorized businessmen are fleeing. After we take action, they are coming back on the road. We are focused on taking continuous action to prevent this kind of thing,” he said.

On Thursday, encroachment clearance was carried out from Shaniwarwada to Swargate Chowk under the Kasba-Vishrambaug Ward Office. Despite the large number of footpath vendors and unauthorized stalls in the area, only two handcarts and six unauthorized vendors were penalized during the operation, leading to criticism that the action was merely symbolic.

Widespread Encroachment, Minimal Seizure
The situation is not limited to central Pune. Over the past few weeks, encroachments had surged across key roads such as Gokhale Road (Ferguson College Road), Manikbagh, and Nagar Road, with pavements taken over by vendors, eateries, and makeshift stalls. Following citizen complaints to the Municipal Commissioner, the PMC resumed its anti-encroachment drive in these areas.

The crackdown, conducted with support from Zone One, led to the seizure of:
34 iron stall counters
8 handcarts
10 gas cylinders
34 chairs, tables, and nets
Officials including Assistant Commissioner Sanjay Pol and inspectors Umesh Godge and Mangesh Gaikwad participated in the drive in and around Kharadi, Mundhwa Bypass, Viman Nagar, and the Zensor IT Park area.
Yet the moment the civic teams left, encroachers returned—indicating that either the civic body is under-resourced or lacks the political will to ensure lasting impact.