Illegal vendors choke railway station roads

Encroachments, traffic chaos and public drinking plague station area; commuters blame civic inaction

- Ankit Shukla

The area surrounding Pune Railway Station has turned into a hub of illegal vendors, encroachments and public drinking, causing severe inconvenience to commuters and raising safety concerns.

Despite repeated complaints, locals allege that civic and railway authorities act only during VIP visits or major events, allowing the chaos to return within days.

Encroachments by unauthorised stalls and hawkers have occupied footpaths and approach roads, creating severe traffic congestion and posing safety risks, commuters and drivers allege.