Pune’s civic body plans hefty fine for encroachments on roads, footpaths
Earlier, the fine amount was minimal, often letting encroachers get away by paying the amount. This led to hackers frequently occupying the footpaths illegally. Considering this, the municipal administration has proposed a 10 -20 times higher fine amount to control the nuisance of the encroachments.
To overcome the problem of encroachments on busy roads and footpaths in the city, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has proposed a huge hike in the fine amount for encroachments. PMC has sent the proposal to the general body for the final approval.
Earlier, the fine amount was minimal, often letting encroachers get away by paying the amount. This led to hackers frequently occupying the footpaths illegally. Considering this, the municipal administration has proposed a 10 -20 times higher fine amount to control the nuisance of the encroachments.
The anti-encroachment department head in PMC, Madhav Jagtap, said that the administration has finalised the new fine amount and also put it in front of the vending committee. The hawkers union’s members are also a part of this committee, which has given the nod for it.
Jagtap said that though the municipal administration is conducting drives at some locations, the hawkers again come to the same place and submit the fines. City mayor Mukta Tilak and municipal commissioner Kunal Kumar have, both, expressed their views of increasing the fine amount. The administration prepared the new fine amount as per their instructions.
There are various types of encroachments in the city. Many citizens park their vehicles on the roads and do not utilise them for many months. Another problem is of hawkers which conduct business on roads and footpaths.
Jagtap said, “The proposal of increasing the hike in fine amount will come in front of the general body on October 18. The elected members would take a decision on it. After getting the nod from the general body meeting, the administration would immediately start its implementation.”
Encroachment type / Existing fine amount in ₹ / Proposed fine amount in ₹
Permanent parked and unutilised vehicles/ ₹1,500 /₹35,000
Unused two-wheelers/ ₹1,000/₹5,000
Illegal stalls/₹1,000/₹10,000
Illegal cart/ ₹500/ ₹5,000 - ₹3,000
Hawkers on footpaths/₹500/₹5,000 - ₹3,000
Illegal extensions by shop owners/₹1,000/₹5,000
Encroachment on footpaths /₹1,000 or ₹2,000/ ₹10,000 or ₹20,000
The Pune Municipal Corporation also started a drive against hawkers in the city and decided to make major roads encroachment-free. The anti-encroachment department took out a drive against hawkers in the month of September.
Stalls – 81
Carts – 947
Hawkers- 842
Gas cylinders- 244
Sheds - 128
Vehicles -18
Other types- 487
Total - 2,747