Pune: The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) on Tuesday cleared unauthorized encroachments along the stretch connecting Poona College to Babajan Dargah.The drive targeted years-old, unregulated roadside stalls that had narrowed the carriageway and forced pedestrians, particularly students, onto busy traffic lanes.Officials said the congestion had also been hindering the movement of ambulances and other emergency services.“The decision was not taken lightly, but the safety of citizens cannot be compromised. A public road must prioritise pedestrians and allow unhindered access for emergency vehicles,” said a senior PCB official.“We removed 18 unauthorised stalls after receiving several complaints. This drive will continue in other areas as well to decongest our internal lanes and roads. It will ensure smoother vehicular movement along these stretches,” Vidyadhar Pawar, chief executive officer of PCB, told TOI.At the same time, activists said Cantonment officials need to remain vigilant and carry out such actions at regular intervals to remove stalls as soon as they reappear in the Camp area.“Such drives need to be conducted in other localities too. If authorities do not act, these stalls will return within a few months. Sustained efforts are essential,” said activist Murtuza Poonawala, a resident of Camp.
