The usual crowd at the Walking Plaza on MG Road, where colourful events are held on weekends, was missing on Sunday. Most people who flock to the spot on Saturdays and Sundays to unwind themselves after a hectic week are, however, not complaining.

Many citizens are rather heaving a sigh of relief at Pune Cantonment Board's (PCB) decision to suspend the weekend revelry for an indefinite period at the Plaza. There is not much resentment among shopkeepers, hawkers, vendors and hoteliers in the area either against the decision.

The reason why most citizens have welcomed the step is that it was taken keeping in mind their safety, following the terror attack in Mumbai. The general view among people was that crowding of any sort should be avoided in the time of terror and that the Pune Cantonment Board had done the right thing.

PCB president Brig R J Sharma said, “With the recent attacks in Mumbai, we are not taking any chances. The weekend Walking Plaza usually has people visiting in huge numbers. Such a huge congregation needs to be managed efficiently. The situation some days back was different, but after what happened in Mumbai we are not taking chances.”

Mohammed Ali, owner, George Restaurant, said, “In many ways, it's good they have shut down the Walking Plaza. It's not that business has taken a beating or anything, but in view of security and the traffic scenario, it's better that they have shut down the place.”

“Public safety is our prime concern. We are coordinating with the city police in this regard. We have also stepped up security in PCB limits. We have started deploying men at various places to check an suspicious activity. Even at the office of the cantonment board, we are stepping up security,” Brigadier Sharma said.

He said schools in the area were next on the security agenda of the PCB. “We will hold a meeting on Tuesday with principals and other officials of various schools in the area. We will discuss the issue of security at schools. Moreover, to prevent such incidents from recurring, we are asking owners of various shopping malls and building that have more than one floor to submit their building plans to us.”

The PCB chief has appealed to people to be more vigilant.

“Citizens need to be more alert. In case they notice anything suspicious or amiss, they should inform the police or the cantonment board. We are also planning to increase night patrolling in camp area and at PCB.”

The security measures may hurt business a bit, but shopkeepers do not mind.

“I know business will suffer as most of my business is only on weekends, but then it is the right thing to do. Security of citizens is important. Besides even though business has fallen it is not that bad,” said Babu Sheikh, a sweet corn stall owner on M G Road. For others, the decision to suspend the weekend Plaza has not made much of a difference.

Victor Peter, owner, Adidas Franchise Store, said, “Business is moving along normally. There has not been much of a difference to our business, but yes in the wake of the recent problems, this is a good decision.” Sharma said any decision to restart the Walking Plaza would be made only after reviewing the situation. But some social activists want none of that. Activist N Shelar of the city said: “PCB should forget about the Walking Plaza. For safety reasons, no overcrowding should be allowed at any place. Has't the PCB heard what the terrorists had planned in Mumbai?”