Pune: Civic administration wakes up after rape case, action taken against illegal hand carts, food stalls in Swargate area

Pune: Security at the Swargate bus stand and Jedhe Chowk is back on the anvil in the backdrop of the rape case. However, illegal hand carts and food stalls continue to violate rules.

Many people consume liquor openly in the area but the PMC fails to act against them. However, the serious incident seems to have rattled the civic administration, which took action against the illegal stalls and seized gas cylinders and other material.

There is outrage across the State against the rape incident at Swargate. The incident exposed a lack of basic amenities at the Swargate bus stand, laxities in the functioning of the police and the MSRTC. The PMC has allowed food stalls to thrive at busy Jedhe Chowk.

These stalls have been permanently set up on footpaths. This forces pedestrians to walk on the road, which is highly risky at the junction.

Pedestrians find it very tough to cross the road at corners. Bus drivers cannot easily locate pedestrians walking on the road. Encroachments in the area are dangerous for commuters and pedestrians.

Ganja and liquor addicts squat below the flyover and on the roadside and their number is high. They crowd at these food stalls and often quarrel. A similar situation prevails at the bus stand.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Pradeep Avhad said, “The Bibwewadi Ward Office took action on Friday (February 28) against those who have occupied more than their authorized area, built illegal sheds and placed tables and chairs on footpaths. Gas cylinders were seized because cooking food is forbidden on roads.”

Encroachments at the entry, exit points

Hand carts and stalls have been set up at the entrance and exit points. Auto-rickshaws also halt there. Therefore, MSRTC buses do not get enough space while entering and exiting the stand. Traffic snarls are frequent because buses are forced to halt on the road outside.

Pradeep Avhad said, “We took penalized action earlier also. Widespread unhygienic conditions were seen during today’s action. We have seized counters and chairs and some gas cylinders.”