Encroachments haunt residents

The road leading to Aundh Gaon  witness heavy traffic, thanks to encroachment by vendors, leaving no space for pedestrians to walk.

The road going towards Aundh Gaon witnesses traffic congestion everyday due to the encroachments on the road side by vendors blocking the pedestrian path. The evening situation being more vulnerable, it paints a risky picture for the pedestrians as they have to dodge the heavy traffic by walking on the road.
"The vegetable vendors have occupied most of the space on the footpath and the walking area for the pedestrians," adds Nikita Takkar, a resident of Siddhart Nagar. She further adds, "The traffic gets lesser space to pass and this makes the situation uncontrollable during the peak hours, resulting in an unplanned traffic situation."
Despite the mandi being nearby, the vendors have made it an everyday affair to set up their fruits and vegetable stalls on the road going towards Aundh Gaon by the evening. Witnessing such a picture from a long time, the residents of the area have filed complaints with the police officials of the area.
"It is nearly impossible to walk on that stretch without paying much attention to the road as the encroachments by the vegetable and fruit sellers have occupied most of the walking area," adds Meenal Nafde, advertising professional and a resident of Aundh. She further adds, "The vendors occupying the space makes it even more difficult to take turns on that road."
The heavy amount of traffic creates a nuisance for the vehicles to take turns with very less space available to them leading to a jam on the middle of the road. The turn towards the society, Siddhart Nagar, is an apt example of such a situation during the evenings. The traffic police, after noticing the hullaballoo due to the encroachments, have taken a step ahead to eradicate those encroachments by taking out a notice against them.
"We have received many complaints by the commuters and the residents regarding the problems faced due to the encroachments by vendors. 10-15 people called and filed telephonic complaints against congestion on the road," says Sanjay Patange, API Traffic Department, Chaturshringi. He further adds, "A notice has been sent on February 7 to the vendors giving them ample time to remove that stalls from that stretch. There have been prior requests made by the police to the vendors but in vain. If the stalls are not removed as per the notice, there will be strict action taken against them."

Menace
Despite the mandi being nearby, the vendors have made it an everyday affair to set up their fruits and vegetable stalls on the road going towards Aundh Village by the evening. Witnessing such a picture from a long time, the residents of the area have filed complaints with the police officials of the area.

--Vani Malik