Punekar News Impact: Railways, RPF, and PMC Launch Joint Action to Remove Illegal Hawkers Around Pune Railway Station
Reported by Amit Singh
Pune, 5th November 2025: Following a Punekar News report highlighting the encroachment, illegal hawkers and unauthorized vending near the back gate of Pune Railway Station, railway officials, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) have initiated coordinated action.
A joint meeting between railway officials, RPF, and PMC officials was conducted on Tuesday to address the encroachment and traffic congestion around the parcel gate and Tadiwala Road entry points of Pune Station. Soon after, PMC launched an intensive drive to clear the area of unauthorized stalls and carts.
As part of the coordinated response, the RPF has formally written to PMC officials, requesting permanent removal of illegal hawkers and food stalls operating near the railway premises. The letter outlines the serious passenger inconvenience and operational issues caused by encroachments.
In the letter, the RPF stated:
“Illegal stalls and carts are selling food items around the Pune Railway Station parcel gate and the Tadiwala Road side station gate. This causes large crowds to gather, obstructing traffic and creating congestion. A large number of two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and auto-rickshaws are parked by outsiders near the parcel gate, resulting in significant traffic jams.”
The letter further notes that the situation has made it difficult for passengers, especially children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, to reach the station on time.
“Due to congestion, some passengers miss their trains, leading others to pull the chain to stop moving trains, which delays departures and affects the railway timetable,” the communication adds.
The RPF also detailed the range of unauthorized activities observed in the area, listing the following items being sold:
1. Stalls: Cigarettes, gutkha, candy, and pan masala
2. Carts: Vada pav, samosa, bhajiya
3. Tea vendors: Using tables and setups along the road
4. Tapris and carts: Selling biryani, egg bhurji, lemon juice
The letter concludes with a formal request to “permanently remove the encroachment of carts and tea stalls on the government road around the Pune Station parcel gate and near the Tadiwala Road side station gate.”
Following the correspondence, PMC officials were seen on-site conducting an intensive anti-encroachment operation, clearing pathways and seizing unauthorized materials. RPF and railway officials were also present during the operation.
The swift action comes just a day after Punekar News reported on the long-standing issue of illegal hawkers and unauthorized vending inside and around railway premises, which raised concerns about negligence and selective enforcement within the Pune Division.
Further action and long-term measures to prevent re-encroachment are awaited.
