Thane: Traffic snarls caused by hawkers irk Mumbra locals

Hawkers ply their trade outside Mumbra railway station in Thane on Sunday. Pic/Satej Shinde

In the bustling township of Mumbra, the issue of illegal hawkers is a major concern among residents due to the substantial traffic snarls they cause, particularly during peak hours. The situation prompted a group of residents to meet the assistant municipal commissioner on October 28 to ensure decisive measures are taken to alleviate traffic congestion stemming from the presence of illegal hawkers.

The delegation was led by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Shamim Khan.

Khan shed light on the complexity of the situation by emphasising that approximately 900 registered hawkers had been identified through an extensive biometric survey. His concern extended beyond this number, expressing suspicions that the count of unauthorised vendors might be high due to a potential influx of hawkers migrating into the area from neighbouring regions. This migration, he suggested, could be contributing to the burgeoning issue, exacerbating the challenges faced by the local authorities in regulating and managing the unauthorised vendors. In addition to the illegal hawking predicament, Khan also drew attention to the presence of unauthorised garages and servicing centres. These various factors collectively intensify the complications faced by the community and the authorities in ensuring smooth, regulated and safe public spaces within Mumbra, he stated.

OfficialSpeak

Balu Pichad, assistant municipal commissioner of the Mumbra Ward Committee, Thane Municipal Corporation, acknowledged the delegation's concerns and assured them that action would be taken. Pichad said, "A special campaign will be implemented to make the Mumbra Kausa area free from hawkers." He added, "A collaborative effort involving the traffic police, Mumbra police and the municipal administration will be orchestrated, aimed at strategising the next steps to combat the issue effectively."

The official emphasised, "Hawkers encroaching beyond the designated yellow lines on roads and illegal service centres will face legal repercussions, including cases against them."

900
No. of registered hawkers