Pune footpath encroachment on Jangli Maharaj Road and Fergusson College Road is forcing pedestrians into moving traffic, with advertising boards, shop displays and vehicles occupying space meant for walking. The problem has become more acute during the festive shopping season, when crowds gather in Shivajinagar for Navratri and Diwali purchases.
Shopfronts along both roads have placed advertising boards on pavements, while two-wheelers and cars are also reportedly parked there through the day. The resulting obstructions leave pedestrians with little usable walking space and increase the risk of collisions with vehicles.
Senior citizens, women, children and students are among those facing difficulties while navigating the affected stretches. During busy periods, pedestrians have to move through traffic to get around the obstructions, raising concerns about their safety on two commercially active roads.
The situation has also raised questions about the functioning of the Pune Municipal Corporation’s encroachment-control machinery, its Sky Sign Licence Department and the concerned zonal officers. These departments have the authority to act against unauthorised advertising boards and remove obstructions from public footpaths, but residents say the problem has continued despite the availability of enforcement powers.
Sham Harse, a Shivajinagar resident, said footpaths were meant for pedestrians and not for advertising boards or vehicle parking. He said the crowd visiting Jangli Maharaj Road and Fergusson College Road for shopping often finds no space to walk because of encroachments, forcing women, senior citizens and students to make their way through traffic.
Harse urged the civic departments to conduct regular inspections instead of waiting for complaints and to keep the pavements free of obstructions. He said strict action against violators would be necessary to prevent the problem from recurring.
Kamlesh Pradhan, a Sky Sign Licence Inspector at the Shivajinagar-Ghole Road regional office, said the department regularly takes action against unauthorised advertising. He acknowledged that large numbers of boards are installed during festivals and alleged that some people use political backing to pressure officials. Pradhan said action would be taken whenever unauthorised boards are identified.
The immediate issue is not limited to advertising regulation. It involves the combined use of footpaths for commercial displays, parking and other activities, leaving the pedestrian network vulnerable during periods of peak demand. Residents have questioned why advance arrangements are not made to clear the pavements before festival crowds increase.
The civic response described by the official will now depend on inspections, removal of unauthorised boards and action against vehicles parked on footpaths. The report did not specify a separate enforcement schedule or the number of violations recorded on the two roads.
