Mumbai: Will move hawkers to underground plaza, says BMC

During a suo motu hearing by the Bombay High Court regarding the escalating problem of illegal hawkers, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed relocating hawkers to underground plazas. This move aims to alleviate congestion on footpaths and overcrowded roads.

While hearing the suo motu PIL, the bench of Justice Kamal Khata and Justice Gautam Patel on February 12 had cracked down on BMC for not taking action on illegal hawkers, taking cognisance of mid-days report ‘Hawkers flood Borivli 2 weeks after eviction'. The court had also asked senior advocate S U Kamdar, representing the BMC, to propose a permanent solution to the hawker problem. In response to the court's question, Kamdar on Friday put forth the solution suggested by the BMC in front of the court.

Scores of vendors on SV Road in Borivli February 7. Pic/Nimesh Dave

"The BMC's proposal comes as a strategic response to the longstanding issue of unauthorised hawking, which has been a major cause of pedestrian congestion and traffic snarls in various parts of the city. By shifting hawkers to underground plazas, the BMC hopes to streamline the city's street-vending ecosystem while also ensuring the safety and convenience of pedestrians and commuters." Kamdar told mid-day.

Also Read: Mumbai: Hawkers flood Borivli 2 weeks after eviction

"The proposed plan will be filed in an affidavit in the high court during the next hearing of the suo-motu petition. Meanwhile, the BMC is constantly acting against illegal hawkers, making sure the roads are encroachment-free," he added.

Speaking on the matter, a BMC official stated, "The idea behind relocating hawkers to underground plazas is to provide them with a designated space to conduct their business, away from main roads and footpaths. This will not only help decongest the city's streets but also provide a safer and more organised environment for both pedestrians and hawkers."

Mixed reactions

The proposed suggestion has garnered mixed reactions from various stakeholders. While some have welcomed the move as a much-needed solution, others have expressed concerns about the feasibility and practicality of implementing such a plan. Critics argue that underground plazas may not be the ideal solution, citing issues such as ventilation, lighting, and accessibility.

Hawkers ply their trade on SV Road near Borivli station on February 9. Pic/Prasun Choudhari

A civic rights activist requesting anonymity said, "This also raises questions about the cost-effectiveness of constructing and maintaining underground spaces for hawkers. The construction cost of these plazas will be paid for with taxpayers money and the issue of illegal hawking will still not be resolved"

Atul Vora, an intervenor in the suo-motu petition told mid-day, "Making underground plazas and shifting hawkers there will not at all solve the issue. Licensed hawkers will be shifted to underground plazas but what about the actual issue based on which the court took suo-motu cognisance? The matter of illegal hawking will remain as it is."

He added, "More roads will be dug up to construct underground plazas. Why not permanently remove illegal hawkers instead of shifting the legal ones underground? No-hawking zones are being violated and the municipal corporation is turning a complete blind eye towards this."