Number of unauthorised stalls rise due to PMC’s inaction during festival

PUNE: The number of unauthorised stalls has increased in the city as the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) action against unauthorised stalls has slowed down due to the ongoing Ganesh festival. The civic administration does not have the manpower and police protection to take action at the moment, sources said. The newly sprung stalls are mostly food stalls, in addition to toys and mobile accessories etc. 

Normally, the civic body’s Anti-Encroachment Department carries out action against unauthorised stalls which are an obstacle to traffic and pedestrians. 

According to Anti-Encroachment Department officials, the PMC has given permission to 375 temporary stalls across the city, while action was taken only against 13 stalls after the commencement of Ganesh festival on September 2.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Anti-Encroachment Department Head Madhav Jagtap said, “During the festival season, there is restriction on action due to shortage of staff and police protection. Crowds are pouring on the street during the festival to visit different Ganesh mandals and hence, we are unable to take action against unauthorised stalls. We are still trying to curb the menace as much as possible.”

The PMC had allotted nearly 22,000 licences in 2014. For getting registered, hawkers had submitted purchased items’ receipts, Aadhaar card, Domicile Certificate and Ration card.

The civic body has already announced 45 roads as ‘No Hawker Zones’. This includes Laxmi Road, JM Road, FC Road, Shivaji Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Road, Kumtekar Road, Sarasbaug Road etc. 

The PMC also has made category of roads and name of areas. In the A+ category, there is Tulshibaug, Hong Kong Lane, FC Road and Sarasbaug. Category A includes Laxmi Road, Shivaji Road and 60 feet roadside area. Category B includes 40 feet roadside area and the lanes in suburban areas come under C category.