97% Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad vendors received no govt alerts during heatwaves: Study
A recent study has revealed that a huge majority of vendors in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad received no government alerts during heatwaves, exposing the health risk posed by the community.
The two-year survey conducted on 400 vendors examined exposure, coping methods, and financial losses due to rising temperatures.
According to the study by FLAME University in Pune, 97 per cent of street vendors in Pune and 97.5 per cent said they were unaware of any heat wave warning by authorities highlighting the devastating impact on health and safety.
PCMC vendors reported more sweating, exhaustion, and illness, while vendors in Pune found it harder to rest, drink water, or sit, according to the study by Prof Prasad Pathak, Dr Sheeva Dubey, and environment activist Yuvraj Gatkal.
The survey said over half the vendors work without shade, fearing eviction if they install covers. In Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), only 15 per cent have access to toilets, and less than 20 per cent to drinking water.
Financial losses were high as PCMC vendors lost an average of Rs 7,878 per month and PMC vendors lost Rs 5,240. These include spoilage of goods, fewer customers, and reduced working capacity. The study found 77 per cent of vendors lost income due to heat, higher than Delhi's 50 per cent reported in a 2023 Greenpeace survey.
'We don't want to just share data, we want action,' said Dr Dubey, while calling for for local warning systems and joint action by PMC and PCMC.
Prof Pathak said, 'We need clarity not just on paper, but on the ground.' He also flagged the lack of funds and weak implementation.
Yuvraj Gatkal said the Hawkers' Plaza model needs review. 'Plans must begin from real conditions,' he said. He added that flexibility and community role are missing. One participant demanded one toilet and tap for every 10 vendors at vending zones with 15 or more workers.
Dr Anand Phadke from Jan Aarogya Abhiyaan urged for training on early symptoms, water, salt as vendors face high health risks. 'Authorities must track temperature and act,' he said.
Sunil Bhadekar, PMC Town Vending Committee member, said, 'Vendors pay the most, get the least. Even basic spacing isn't provided. The system exists, but vendors are ignored.'
PMC official from Environment Department Ashwini Yadav said the issue is serious and would be duly addressed. 'This is not the end, but a start. We will identify the vulnerable and respond.' Sanjay Shanke of the National Hawkers Federation added, 'Vendors are not victims. They are partners. Include them in planning.'
Criticising the PCMC Heat Action Plan of 2024, experts have pointed to the lack of focus on workers' health and labour. They said though key issues were noted, no specific action for outdoor workers was taken and hawkers continued working without any cooling centres and community role.
As heat and inequality rise, calls get louder to make vendors part of city-level climate plans from water to warnings, space to policy.
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