Pune: Over 50 unauthorised shops, kiosks and other structures were removed from Jan Mohammed Street and Kedari Road in the core areas of Pune Camp over the past two days, following complaints from residents about obstruction to traffic and pedestrians.The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) carried out the drive after issuing public notices to occupants. Officials said several structures had spilled onto roads and footpaths, severely affecting vehicular and pedestrian movement in the densely populated Camp area. The PCB said the seized material would be disposed of as scrap and there was no policy to return it to occupants.“The action was necessary as vehicular movement had been affected severely inside the old Camp areas. We had issued public notices a couple of times before initiating the action,” said a senior official of PCB.He said similar action would be carried out in other parts of the cantonment in phases over the coming weeks. “We have received complaints related to MG Road and East Street, where action will follow in a similar manner. Some shopkeepers have illegally extended their shops by encroaching on footpaths in front of their premises, making it difficult for visitors and pedestrians to move,” the official said.Residents welcomed the action but said the board must ensure that the drive did not remain limited to a few roads. “The authorities should take action against violators in other areas also and send a strong message,” said Rashid Shaikh, a Camp resident.Another resident, M Khan, said pedestrians were often forced to walk on busy roads because of encroachments. “Shops, displays and temporary structures occupy footpaths in many places. Senior citizens and children face maximum difficulties,” he said.Imran Khan, another resident, said the PCB needed to conduct regular drives. “Whenever there is an anti-encroachment drive, the roads become clear for some time. But after a few months, encroachments return. There should be continuous monitoring.”PCB officials said lack of police protection was one of the major reasons for the irregularity of such drives. “Conducting such drives without police protection is not possible. The mob and angry vendors can target our staff. We cannot take that risk. Our staff were attacked by a mob a few years ago,” said another senior cantonment official.“The commercial identity of Camp should be preserved, but businesses cannot occupy public roads and footpaths,” said resident Farah Merchant.
