PMC to extend demolition drive to illegal hawker stalls, hoarding ads

Do not be surprised if you can not see your usual street food vendor around the next time you want a quick bite. Or the footpath garment stall you go to pick up great bargains from no longer there. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to soon start a massive drive against illegal hawker stalls and commercial establishments in the city.

There is already a larger drive against unauthorised religious structures underway, and the PMC has decided to extend it to illegal hawkers.

PMC officials said they will seek police protection for the campaign, as they have experienced attacks on workers and stone-pelting during past demolition drives.

According to officials from the PMC's Encroachment Department, there are around 14,000 unauthorised stalls on major city roads, which will be demolished without any prior notice.

Only 8,000 authorised stalls exist on city roads, which are within PMC limits.

Deputy Commissioner (Encroachments) Ramesh Shelar, who has been recently appointed, said that the
PMC has now appealed to all illegal hawkers to voluntarily move from the spaces occupied by them, failing which "they will face severe consequences".

The PMC has already demolished several unauthorised religious structures over the last few days, with the latest demolition taking place on Saturday in Dholewadi and Bhavani Peth. Four places of worship were demolished in each of the two places.

"We will also click photos of the particular structure before and after it is destroyed," Shelar said.

The official said the planned action will now be a regular feature in the coming months and that the authority will stringently implement rules and regulations regarding structures not authorised by the PMC.

The PMC will also pull down illegal advertisements on footpaths, which according to officials are rampant in areas like Deccan Gymkhana and around Pune railway station.

Shelar refused to reveal the areas the authority will first start with.

But staff strength to conduct the drive may be a worry. Some PMC officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were facing a severe staff shortage and it was taking a big toll on their daily operations.

"Our staff strength has been the same since 1985 and the overall city population has increased tremendously.

Adding to our woes is the fact that several of our colleagues are out on Census duty," said a PMC official.