Police asks Pune Cantonment Board to decongest Fashion Street immediately

In order to prevent any untoward incident, the Cantonment police have written a letter to the PCB requesting the immediate decongestion of Fashion Street in Camp.

Fashion Street, which saw a significant fire on March 27, 2021, and is home to hundreds of clothing stores and other businesses in a small area, is still packed with patrons and vendors, with little room for people to move around or stand.

There is fear of fire, stampede, and other crimes here, according to a police official. shopkeeper rivalries that could result in sabotage. Given the frequent congestion, particularly on weekends and during festivals, the market needs to be cleared of people right away. 

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) has been informed. The space in the alleys has been further reduced by the division of a leased shop into smaller spaces. In the event of an emergency, people won’t be able to flee.

Fashion Street covers two acres and was founded in 1997. The original plan allowed for the operation of only 448 shops, each measuring 4 by 5 meters. Over time, unauthorized retailers appropriated vacant spaces, such as aisles designated for patrons and parking lots.

According to an activist, settlements would not have proliferated if the authorities had taken prompt action against violators. There are currently close to a thousand stores in the market. It is now more dangerous and entangled in legal issues.

A vendor on Fashion Street warned that any mishap could cause serious damage. Rescuers are unable to enter. Numerous unlicensed operators in this area have criminal histories and operate at their discretion.

According to a senior PCB official, they will follow the police’s recommendations and take the necessary action. He provided no timeline or specification plan.

The PCB representative went on to say that the board is merely defending Fashion Street in court. PCB was unable to put out the massive fire even after it occurred. There is no market revenue for the board. The land is worth crores and is situated in a prime area. Here, any project could bring in crores of money.

Source : Times of India, Pune