Pune, 10 November 2025: Unauthorised traders and roadside encroachments are rapidly increasing across Pune, especially in the Parvati constituency, municipal commissioner Naval Kishore Ram said.
He noted that Pune has more than two lakh illegal traders and clearing them could free up nearly 20% of road space for vehicles and pedestrians. The civic body, along with police, is preparing to launch a citywide removal campaign soon.
Over the past several days, the commissioner has been inspecting different parts of the city. He explained that under the National Hawker Policy, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) issues certificates to authorised street vendors who are allotted spaces in 525 dedicated zones. However, despite this system, illegal hawkers and food stalls continue to mushroom across major locations.
Many footpaths, and even parts of main roads, have been taken over by fruit sellers and roadside eateries. In several areas, efforts made under the Smart City project to widen footpaths have been reversed, pushing pedestrians onto roads and increasing the risk of accidents.
A senior anti-encroachment official said that during the period when corporators were in office, enforcement drives often faced political pressure. Even though the city has been under an administrator for the past three years, the number of encroachments has risen further, especially around PMPML bus stops and busy junctions.
PMC officials say strong joint action is now required to restore footpaths and ensure smoother traffic movement in Pune.