Pune: After months of persistent complaints from local residents and businesses, anti-encroachment department authorities launched a significant crackdown on unauthorized vendors causing disruptions at the gate of Pu La Deshpande Garden on Sinhagad Road. The operation, conducted on Tuesday, was led by the Municipal Corporation's Anti-encroachment Department and supported by local police.
The operation was executed under the supervision of Assistant Commissioner Sandeep Khalate and Senior Police Inspector Nandkumar Gaikwad.
A team of officers, including anti-encroachment department officials Narayan Sable and Umesh Narule, utilized heavy machinery and manpower, including one JCB, five trucks, and thirty-one laborers, to remove the unauthorized stalls.
Deputy Commissioner of the Encroachment Department, Madhav Jagtap, emphasized that designated spaces had been allocated for these vendors near the garden. However, their refusal to adhere to these spaces necessitated the action.
Jagtap warned that ongoing non-compliance would result in continuous enforcement measures and potential relocation of licensed vendors to other areas. This decisive action marks a significant step towards maintaining order and accessibility at one of Pune's prominent recreational spots.
Local MLA Madhuri Misal had been advocating for decisive action due to the severe inconvenience faced by citizens and the negative impact on the garden, which frequently hosts foreign visitors. Despite repeated warnings, vendors continued to set up stalls in front of the garden gate, obstructing traffic and ignoring official directives.
The Pu La Deshpande garden is also known as Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden. The garden is frequented by visitors from several countries and is a popular tourist destination in Pune city.
Visuals of encroachment at the very entrance of a prominent tourist destination created negative image about the city as well as the country in the minds of visitors.
Local citizens have demanded that Pune Municipal Corporation should ensure that the hawkers and illegal encroachers should not return to the garden premises after a few days.