PMC extends licence renewal deadline for hawkers to May-End; 3,000 yet to comply

Pune: The PMC has set a final deadline of May 31 for over 12,000 authorised hawkers to renew their licences and clear all pending dues. Officials said those who fail to complete the renewal process will be barred from participating in the upcoming hawkers' survey scheduled for later this year.This marks the second extension granted by the civic body. The original deadline was March 31. According to officials, of the 12,000 authorised hawkers in the city, approximately 8,900 have already paid their dues. The administration has now urged the remaining 3,100 vendors to complete the formalities to ensure their licences remain valid and avoid being blacklisted.The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued licences across various categories, with specific designated locations assigned to each vendor. An official from the PMC's anti-encroachment department stated, "We have published all renewal details on various platforms, including the PMC website. These authorised hawkers have been identified across 15 ward offices."However, the renewal process has met with scepticism from residents, many of whom question whether it will actually curb the rise of illegal street vending. Citizens argue that while the PMC is tightening rules for authorised vendors, it must take stricter action against those operating illegally on footpaths and roads.Vidya Mankar, a resident of Tilak Road, noted that it is nearly impossible for the public to distinguish between authorised and unauthorised vendors. "Many roads and footpaths are heavily congested every day. Very few hawkers display an authorised PMC card. Further, we often see authorised hawkers encroaching beyond their designated spaces, obstructing both pedestrians and vehicular traffic," she said.While the anti-encroachment department regularly conducts drives to clear illegal stalls, residents claim these efforts are ineffective. Vinod Thite, a frequent visitor to FC Road and Deccan Gymkhana, pointed out that vendors often return to the same spots within hours of a raid. "Areas like FC Road, Laxmi Road, and Mandai are prime examples where illegal hawkers return almost immediately after a drive. The administration needs to increase the frequency and permanence of these actions," Thite added.