Crime in Pimpri Market has left traders worried. Read the full report on PuneriPages.in.
By Prashant for PuneriPages.in
Rajesh Gupta has seen Pimpri grow. For over 20 years, he’s run his small electronics shop in the heart of the market. But last month, something changed. In the middle of the day, thieves walked away with lakhs worth of new mobile stock. “This never used to happen,” he told me, eyes weary. “Now, every morning I wonder what’s gone missing.”
And he’s not alone. Merchants across Pimpri are scared. Petty thefts, break-ins, and even extortion calls have become alarmingly common. Tired of waiting for change, a group of these traders took matters into their own hands. On Monday, they went straight to Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis with a simple plea: make us feel safe again.
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When Local Complaints Fall on Deaf Ears
The traders didn’t just complain—they came prepared. Backed by the Pimpri Chinchwad Traders’ Association, they handed over a memorandum listing exactly what needs to change. From the looks of it, this wasn’t just about crime statistics. It was about daily fear, shrinking footfall, and the slow death of business.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” said Nilesh Jagtap, the association’s president. “We’re asking to be able to do our jobs without worrying about who’s lurking outside our shop.”
What the Traders Want: Their 3-Point Safety Plan
Here’s what the traders proposed:
- More Cops on the Ground – Especially during the busy evening hours.
- Better Eyes in the Sky – CCTV cameras throughout the market that police actually monitor.
- A Permanent Police Outpost – Right inside the market. Visible, accessible, and accountable.
“These are basic asks,” Jagtap told me. “We’re not asking for Z+ security. Just the basics.”
Shops Are Closing Early, and It’s Hitting Hard
Pimpri’s market isn’t just a shopping hub—it’s a lifeline for thousands of families. But lately, the buzz is fading. Fewer people stay past sunset. Women, especially, prefer to avoid the area in the evening.
Meera Patil, who runs a garment store, summed it up best. “I used to keep my shop open till 10 PM. Now? I close by 7. Can’t take the risk.”
Private security has become the norm. But not every shopkeeper can afford that. Losses from theft and break-ins have quietly become a hidden cost of doing business.
Police Speak Up: We Hear You, But We’re Stretched Thin
I reached out to Senior Inspector Suresh Phadke at the Pimpri Police Station. He didn’t deny the problems. “We’re doing our best,” he said. “But our manpower is stretched. Reinforcements are coming, but until then, we’re trying to manage with what we have.”
He welcomed the traders’ proposal, especially the idea of CCTV monitoring. “It helps everyone,” he said. “More eyes, quicker response.”
Still, it’s clear: the police are under pressure, and the traders are out of patience.
This Is More Than Just Crime—It’s a Test
What’s happening in Pimpri isn’t just about shoplifting or phone thefts. It’s about trust—between citizens and the system. If business owners start giving up on law enforcement, the damage spreads beyond the market.
The Deputy CM has promised to act. The traders are hopeful, but cautious. “We’ve heard promises before,” said Rajesh quietly. “This time, we’ll wait and watch.”
Pimpri’s marketplace has always been a symbol of hustle and ambition. It deserves to be a symbol of safety too.
Let’s hope someone’s listening.
This article is published on Puneripages.in as part of our commitment to bring real, local stories to the forefront.
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