Pune's Fashion Street to get a dressing down...

If you are in Pune and haven't been to

Fashion Street

at least once, your Pune darshan is incomplete. Located on a vast expanse between MG Road and

East Street

in the Camp area, this area has been a hub of all things fashion since the last two decades.

However, a recent court order has put the shopkeepers of Fashion Street in a fix. According to the Pune Cantonment Board, 66 of the total stalls at Fashion Street are illegal and the court has ordered the

PCB

to act against the same. have been ordered to be removed. According to a report in Pune mirror, ‘the district court recently allowed the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) to initiate action against the well-frequented kiosk on this stretch, famously known as Fashion Street. This comes after some stall owners moved court, challenging an eviction notice issued by the PCB in May 2018.’

While shopkeepers are hopeful of a change in the decision, youngsters, who frequent the area owing to pocket-friendly options available here, say they will continue to shop at FS even if some of the stalls are erased.
And that’s how it began…

“The Fashion Street has been in this area since 1997 after around 448 sellers were shifted from the MG Road here. Since then, it’s been a famous shopping destination for not just students but also for visitors who are in the city for just a few days.

- Mohammad Kadri, owner of one of the oldest shops in the area

PCB v/s Shopkeepers

After the fire audit, PCB highlighted the security concern and we have taken necessary steps to keep the area safe. Almost every shop has fire extinguishers and according to the norms, we have also made pathways for entry and exit of the fire engine in case of emergency. So, I don’t know why the decision of evicting some stalls is being taken.

- Ismail Khan, a clothes stall owner.

We are yet to receive the court order, but we are against the illegal stalls and encroachment that has been done by shopkeepers there. A total of 569 stalls are authorised to function in the Fashion Street and the rest are illegal. After we get the court order, we will take action against illegal stalls and encroachments.”

- DN Yadav, CEO, PCB

The pull of sasta but tikaau stuff

The main reason why many youngsters prefer shopping here is that they save a lot of money and get the trending stuff. A family saves almost Rs 500 to 1000 if they shop from here instead of any other market.

- Majid, a stall owner

This place is a fashion hub! We can bargain and get stuff at affordable prices. I shop for tops and shirts here and get them for just Rs 200 to 250. There are various options of accessories too. Being a regular, I feel if some shops are shut down, the place will lose its charm. It is a haven for students like me who survive on fixed pocket money monthly.

- Simran Sharma, student, Ness Wadia College

I have a thing for changing my wardrobe every two to three months and this place gives me a variety of options to choose from. Moreover, you get stuff cheap here and that’s something any student would opt for. If stalls are removed, there will be fewer options to choose from which is definitely a setback for regulars like us.

- Rahul Pandey, student, Bharati Vidyapeeth

Something for everyone

We have customers visiting all through the year. People come to shop here from neighbouring areas like Lonavala, Daund and

Satara

too. The place is a hit among foreigners visiting the city. Shopping in a mall is different, but shopping at a place like this is a different experience. This place gives employment to many people as well. If their shops are shut, where will they go?

- Kareem, stall owners

I come here to shop very often. I get things that are in vogue, including apparel and accessories at cheaper rates. This a one-stop destination for students as you get everything here. My mother too loves to shop here.

- Shrunkhala Tete, student, Bharati Vidyapeeth
The memories
Used to go there during college to just roam around. We would then go to camp after that. Surprisingly, I would get beautiful accesories at Fashion Street, like neck pieces and earrings, which I could never find anywhere else.

- Ruchita Jadhav


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