Pune: PMC Removes Illegal Hawker Stalls Outside Pu La Deshpande Garden On Sinhagad Road After Traffic, Safety Complaints
Pune: PMC Removes Illegal Hawker Stalls Outside Pu La Deshpande Garden On Sinhagad Road After Traffic, Safety Complaints
Pune, May 19, 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Monday conducted an anti-encroachment drive outside Pu La Deshpande Garden on Sinhagad Road, clearing illegal hawker stalls that had been causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to visitors.
The action was initiated following complaints raised by local BJP leaders and directions from Maharashtra Minister of State for Urban Development and Parvati MLA Madhuri Misal.
Pu La Deshpande Garden, one of Pune’s popular tourist attractions, witnesses large crowds every evening, especially during school vacations, with families and children visiting from different parts of the city. Residents and visitors had repeatedly complained that hawkers occupying footpaths and areas near the entrance were creating traffic bottlenecks and obstructing pedestrian movement.
Civic officials stated that congestion near the garden becomes severe during peak evening hours due to the narrow entry and exit points, leading to slow-moving traffic and safety concerns.
Despite previous eviction drives, hawkers had allegedly returned to the same locations, making the issue a recurring challenge for the civic administration.
BJP leader Sandeep Khardekar had recently written to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram and the concerned ward office, demanding permanent action against the encroachments. He said local residents had repeatedly highlighted increasing traffic congestion and inconvenience near the garden.
Following directions from Madhuri Misal, PMC officials carried out the drive and removed stalls occupying footpaths and entrance areas around the garden premises.
“Acting on the minister’s instructions, the civic administration cleared the footpaths and entry points around the garden to ease movement for visitors and motorists,” Khardekar said.
However, nearby residents expressed concern that the encroachments could return if regular monitoring is not maintained.
