Hawkers back on Pune’s M G Road after PCB squad clears encroachments for 4 hrs

Speaking to The Indian Express, squad officials said a team of 10-12 workers from the Pune Cantonment Board  seized goods from hawkers and cleared them off the footpaths, particularly on the stretch from Wonderland to Hotel Aurora Towers.

On Wednesday evening, traders along M G Road were both amazed and happy to find no hawkers blocking the entrance to their shops, especially outside Kumar Plaza.

As soon as the PCB squad left at 9.30 pm, the hawkers were back and set up their wares and conducted business as usual. (Express photo)

Poonam Jajodiya, owner of Vastra and Westra stores at Kumar Plaza on M G road, said,   “Maximum congestion occurs here as hawkers encroach the footpaths. We appreciate the work done by PCB, it will be good if it continues. Not only will customers be able to walk freely on the footpaths but this will also help retain the charm of M G Road.”

One of the members of Pune Camp Merchants Association (PCMA) said there were no hawkers outside the shop and hoped that these drives are sustained for weeks together. “Customers are unable to park their vehicles as hawkers would tell them not to park in front of their setups,” said the PCMA member,  who also owns a prominent shop here.

However, the bliss was short lived. As soon as the PCB squad left at 9.30 pm, the hawkers were back and set up their wares and conducted business as usual.

The traders have time and again demanded corrective action against the rampant hawking.  On December 1, the PCMA sent yet another letter to the Pune Cantonment Board and the police, stating that the member traders were fed up with the nuisance caused by hawkers.  They had complained about how hawkers had occupied road space, leading to traffic snarls.

PCB officials were unavailable for comment.