Pune, a bustling city with a vibrant student community, is grappling with the dichotomy of roadside food stalls—seen as both a concern for many and a boon for youngsters. These makeshift stalls, scattered across the city, offer a diverse array of goods, but it’s the ones serving hot, affordable meals that have become a lifeline for budget-conscious students.
Despite being a favorite among college-goers, these food stalls often draw the ire of locals and authorities for encroaching on sidewalks and operating illegally. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) routinely conducts drives to demolish them, but they resurface, fueled by a dedicated clientele primarily composed of students.
A student from Karvenagar attested to the popularity of these stalls, revealing that they rely on them for at least three meals a day due to their cost-effectiveness. The alternative—dining at restaurants—would significantly dent their pockets. The scenario is not unique to a particular locality; college areas such as Bharati Vidyapeeth, Model Colony, Bibvewadi, Viman Nagar, J M Road, Pimpri, Wakad, Bhandarkar, Law College, Kothrud, etc., witness a similar trend.
The legality of hawker zones designated by the PMC becomes questionable as many illegal stalls persist due to the high volume of college students frequenting these areas. Some vendors allege that even licensed stall owners lease their spaces to other operators for a higher price, contributing to the proliferation of unauthorized stalls.
Ownership disputes add another layer to the problem, with building owners expressing discontent even when stall operators maintain cleanliness and pay rent promptly. The symbiotic relationship between food stalls and students is undeniable, but the lack of proper infrastructure and legal wrangles pose challenges for both parties.
The PMC’s sporadic crackdowns, such as the one along Fergusson College Road last June, temporarily alleviate the issue, but the stalls reappear, highlighting the persistent struggle between urban management and the indispensable services these stalls provide to the student community.
In summary, the dichotomy of roadside food stalls in Pune presents a complex urban challenge—balancing the interests of locals, authorities, and the student population.
