Pune Choking On Encroachments: No Hawkers Zone A Joke, Hadapsar MLA Slams Civic Authority In Assembly
Pune Choking On Encroachments: No Hawkers Zone A Joke, Hadapsar MLA Slams Civic Authority In Assembly
Pune, July 18, 2025: Hadapsar MLA Chetan Tupe raised the critical issue of rampant encroachments in Pune city during the monsoon session of the state legislature. Participating in a special discussion in the Legislative Assembly, Tupe highlighted how the growing encroachments have choked the city’s roads and created severe traffic congestion, demanding urgent intervention from the state government.
Tupe pointed out that the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had earlier declared 34 roads as “No Hawkers Zones” to streamline traffic flow and ensure pedestrian safety. However, he alleged that these orders have not been implemented effectively, leading to worsening traffic woes in various parts of the city. “It is important to identify those officials who are conveniently ignoring these violations and allowing encroachments to thrive,” Tupe stated in the House.
Two days ago, PMC undertook a massive anti-encroachment drive but the hawkers returned within 12 hours on the road. The residents have slammed the Pune Municipal Corporation for their inability to stop the illegal activities across the city.
He further stressed that due to unauthorized vendors and encroachments on public spaces, pedestrians are finding it increasingly difficult to walk on roads. “The situation has reached a point where roads are blocked on all sides, causing immense hardship to citizens,” he added.
Urging immediate action, Tupe demanded that the state government direct the civic administration to carry out stringent measures to clear encroachments and restore order on city roads. His intervention has drawn the attention of both lawmakers and citizens towards the need for robust enforcement of the No Hawkers Zones and strict accountability from municipal authorities.
The issue of urban encroachments has long been a contentious topic in Pune, and Tupe’s strong stand in the Assembly has sparked fresh debate over civic governance and public space management.
