The Pune Municipal Corporation has launched another anti-encroachment operation near the busy Pu La Deshpande Garden corridor on Sinhagad Road, removing unauthorised hawker stalls blamed for worsening traffic congestion and restricting pedestrian movement around one of the city’s most visited public spaces. The latest civic action follows repeated complaints from residents, commuters and visitors who alleged that footpaths and approach roads near the garden had become increasingly inaccessible during evening peak hours. The issue had intensified during the summer vacation period, when visitor numbers surged and vehicle movement around the recreational zone became heavily congested.
Officials from the civic administration said the encroachments were affecting both road safety and public accessibility. Narrow approach roads combined with informal vending activity had created bottlenecks near the entrance, slowing traffic flow and forcing pedestrians, including children and elderly visitors, onto carriageways shared with moving vehicles. Urban planners note that the dispute reflects a larger challenge facing rapidly growing Indian cities: balancing informal livelihoods with the need for safe and accessible public infrastructure. Pune’s expanding population and rising vehicle ownership have increased pressure on roads, footpaths and public gathering spaces, particularly in mixed-use neighbourhoods where recreational areas attract large evening crowds. The anti-encroachment drive focused on clearing pathways, entrance zones and roadside stretches surrounding the garden. Civic officials stated that the operation was undertaken after instructions were issued by senior political representatives and complaints were escalated to municipal authorities. Local residents had earlier demanded a long-term solution, arguing that temporary eviction drives often fail because hawkers gradually return once enforcement activity slows.
The Pu La Deshpande Garden precinct has evolved into a major urban leisure destination over the years, drawing families from across Pune. However, mobility experts say many such public spaces continue to suffer from weak last-mile planning, inadequate parking management and inconsistent pedestrian infrastructure. Without sustained urban design interventions, congestion tends to recur despite periodic enforcement measures. Experts in urban governance believe the situation also highlights the absence of clearly designated vending infrastructure in many Indian cities. While street vendors contribute significantly to local economies and affordable food access, the lack of organised vending zones often leads to conflicts over public land use. Sustainable urban planning, they argue, requires both enforcement and inclusive rehabilitation measures that support livelihoods without compromising pedestrian safety.
Residents living around Sinhagad Road welcomed the civic action but expressed concern about whether the cleared spaces would remain obstruction-free in the long term. Several citizens have called for continuous monitoring, stronger coordination between traffic police and ward offices, and permanent redesign of the entry zone to improve crowd management during weekends and holidays. As Pune continues to urbanise rapidly, the pressure on public spaces is becoming more visible across transport corridors, gardens and commercial districts. Urban policy observers say the city’s future mobility strategy will increasingly depend on how effectively civic agencies reclaim and manage pedestrian infrastructure while ensuring equitable use of public space for both citizens and small informal businesses.
