12 January,2015 12:28 PM IST | | Chetna Sadadekar
A hawkers union has written to the BMC and the MMRDA asking for space to be allotted to them on the skywalks since the authorities themselves claim that pedestrians are not using them
Angry at licences not being issued and space not being demarcated for them, hawkers in the city have been filing court cases against the BMC and the police, alleging that they are being denied their rights and that the Supreme Court order on the issue is not being followed.
Last refuge: BMC officials said the skywalks are still being maintained by the MMRDA and have not been handed over to them. File pic
Now, a hawkers union in the city has asked for space to be given to them on skywalks. Members of the Lohia Vichar Manch Hawkers Union, have written to the BMC and the MMRDA, arguing that since the skywalks are not finding enough takers among pedestrians, it makes sense to allocate space to hawkers there.
This suggestion was also put forward at various town vending committee meetings after the BMC had claimed it was falling short of places to demarcate as hawking zones. Hawkers had also suggested that they should be allowed to sell their wares in open spaces. "I have written to the BMC and MMRDA asking them to give hawkers space on skywalks, which the authorities claim are not being used.
This was also suggested in town vending committee meetings. We understand the space issue and hence the concept of Dilli Haat was also suggested, which was also on the agenda of the BMC at one point of time, but saw no progress. About 20,000 hawkers can be easily accommodated on 30-odd skywalks in the city," said Rambabu Gupta, president, Lohia Vichar Manch Hawkers Union.
