The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a decisive drive against unauthorised private study centres, hostels, and food stalls that have mushroomed across the city, largely catering to the massive influx of students preparing for competitive examinations. The civic body has announced it will begin taking action within seven days.
The Student Influx and Its Impact
An estimated one lakh students from across Maharashtra flock to Pune annually to prepare for exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The city attracts them due to its superior training infrastructure, libraries, and availability of study materials.
These aspirants typically reside as paying guests or in private hostels, utilising private study rooms for long hours and relying on local eateries for meals. However, this concentration has led to significant civic issues. A senior PMC officer highlighted that the proliferation of illegal facilities and student behaviour has become a source of inconvenience for local residents.
Citizen Complaints and Safety Concerns
Residents have repeatedly complained about students crowding streets late at night, creating noise, and contributing to chaos. The problem escalates during celebrations, such as when successful candidates burst crackers, use gulal, or hold processions. The student population has also been criticised for adding to the noise during the annual Ganesh festival processions.
A recent tragic incident underscored safety worries when a student preparing for a competitive exam was found dead in a paying guest facility in Navi Peth. This has further galvanised the administration's resolve to regulate these informal accommodations.
PMC's Planned Regulatory Action
Additional Municipal Commissioner Prithviraj B P stated that the immediate focus is on illegal study libraries operating in the parking areas of residential buildings. The PMC will conduct a comprehensive survey to identify all illegal study rooms and paying guest accommodations.
The civic body is also set to formulate formal rules and regulations to govern the operation of study libraries and PG facilities in the city. Furthermore, action will be taken against illegal hawkers and food carts that operate around these study hubs.
To address the broader nuisance issues, the PMC plans to coordinate closely with the Pune City Police. Joint efforts will aim to manage the disruptions caused by the large student population residing in the city's heart.
The crackdown represents an attempt to balance Pune's role as an education hub with the quality of life for its permanent citizens, aiming to bring order to an increasingly unregulated ecosystem built around competitive exam preparation.
