Endless wait for Fashion Street shops

Vendors still waiting for shops promised by Pune Cantonment Board 13 years ago

Vendors still waiting for shops promised by Pune Cantonment Board 13 years ago

Vijay Dhanwani (45) was thrilled when Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) issued a list that entitled him to a shop in Fashion Street in 1997. But it's been 13 years and he is still waiting for the shop he was promised. Dhanwani is not the only one in this scenario. There are many like him.


When? Vendor Vijay Dhanwani at his stall in Fashion Street.
Pic/Jignesh Mistry

"Dhanwani was first allotted a shop in 1997. "I was the 150th person on the list in 1998. I did not get my shop for many years." Tired of the wait, he filed a case against PCB in 2005 in the session's court. However, he lost the case. After that, the PCB transferred his name to the second list issued in 2005. "I still haven't got my shop. Despite being entitled to a shop, I am forced to sell my wares on the road."

There are many allegations of shops being handed over to people who were not even entitled for the same. Many others like Dhanwani are fighting for their space ufffd Sikandar Bhagwan and Ramesh G Lalchandani have been fighting a case in the court. Lalchandani said, "We have lost hopes since body is coming forward to help us."

According to original list issued by the PCB, Fashion Street is supposed to have 448 shops. But there are more than 560 shops in the same place. CEO of PCB B A Dhayalan, who recently joined the post, said, "A few shop-owners met me and shared their problems. I am going to Fashion Street on Friday. I want to study the matter and then take a firm decision. This issue is on the top of my agenda."

On the other hand MG Road Hawkers' Association blames PCB for the mess-up. M V Akulkar, president of the association said, "In the past 12 years, they haven't taken any decision for the shopkeepers. We are also opposing their decision to increase the number of shops."

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