Pune: The civic administration and Pune police have registered criminal offences against five roadside vendors for illegally encroaching on footpaths and public roads. The drive was carried out in Kothrud and Yerawada.“The crackdown targeted unlicensed handcart operators who were obstructing pedestrian movement and disrupting traffic flow. The aim was to reclaim public spaces and ensure commuter safety,” said a senior Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) official.According to civic officials, the administration has made public announcements through traditional and social media platforms, urging vendors not to encroach footpaths and to comply with the norms laid down for street vending.“PMC regularly takes action against illegal vendors by imposing fines and confiscating their materials. Criminal offences are registered against repeat offenders,” said Somnath Bankar, head of the PMC’s anti-encroachment department.Citizens have welcomed the move but said the administration should also create dedicated spaces for street vendors to facilitate their relocation.“Encroachments on footpaths are a major inconvenience for pedestrians. The problem is particularly serious in areas such as FC Road, JM Road and the peth areas, which are popular shopping destinations. Dedicated vending zones should be set up in these areas to accommodate street vendors,” said Samir Paranjape, a resident of Dhayari.According to PMC officials, the administration takes action in accordance with the provisions of the Street Vendors Act, 2014. The legislation seeks to protect the livelihood rights and social security of urban street vendors while regulating street vending activities. It allows eligible vendors to obtain certificates of vending and conduct business in designated areas.The Act mandates urban local bodies to prepare vending plans that can accommodate up to 2.5% of a ward’s or city’s total population. Authorities can designate restriction-free vending zones, restricted vending zones (where vending may be permitted on a time-sharing basis) and strict no-vending zones.“Vending without a certificate or violating the conditions of a Certificate of Vending (CoV), such as encroaching beyond the allotted space, attracts a fine of up to Rs 2,000. The local self-governing body can increase the penalty,” said a senior PMC official.Available data shows that Pune has around 22,000 authorised hawkers. The PMC received 38,000 applications when it began a survey around five years ago. However, the administration finalised only 525 vending zones, against the 1,900 zones sought by hawkers.
