Encroachments on MG Road footpaths in Pune force pedestrians onto the road in Diwali rush

Street vendors, clothing stalls, display racks and shop goods are increasingly occupying the footpaths on MG Road in Pune, raising serious concern over pedestrian safety. The problem has worsened with the weekend shopping rush and the ongoing Diwali season.

A large number of people come to shop in this busy market. With the footpaths blocked, pedestrians, including the elderly, women, children and the differently abled, are reportedly having to step onto the main road to walk, which exposes them to the risk of road accidents.

Several passers-by have voiced concern over the situation. Rajwant Gurdutta, a citizen, said, "Footpaths are meant for pedestrians, but we have to walk alongside moving vehicles because there is almost no safe space left to walk."

Vinay Jeevani, another regular visitor, said elderly people and families with children are at the greatest risk. According to him, the authorities should attend to the issue before a major accident happens.

Questions have also been raised over the implementation of Bombay High Court directions that were allegedly issued on clearing footpaths and protecting pedestrians. Gurdutta said a petition had been filed in the court and directions had been given to the Police Commissioner. Passers-by say, however, that conditions on the ground still cause trouble. The authorities have been asked to examine the relevant court directions and ensure they are implemented.

Questions have also been asked about who is responsible for action by the Pune Traffic Police, the local police and the Pune Cantonment Board. Residents and passers-by say the traffic department regularly tows vehicles and levies fines for unauthorised parking, but similarly consistent action against shop encroachments blocking the walkway is not visible.

It was said that anti-encroachment drives have been carried out from time to time, but the problem returns as soon as the action teams leave. For this reason, there is a demand for a permanent monitoring system instead of occasional clean-ups.

The main demands include immediate removal of unauthorised obstructions, restoration of the footpaths, and joint action by the Traffic Police, local police and Cantonment Board. Special patrolling has also been sought on Saturdays, Sundays and festival days, especially between 4 pm and 10 pm, when pedestrian movement is heavy.

Other demands are that removed stalls should not be allowed to return, that repeat violators be proceeded against under the applicable laws, that earlier complaints be reviewed, that compliance with the court's directions be checked, and that responsibility be fixed wherever negligence by officials is established.

Passers-by have made clear that the issue is not about taking away the livelihood of genuine hawkers. Their point is only that vendors should work within the applicable rules, and that pedestrians' rights and public safety should not be compromised.