Time to return Mumbai’s footpaths to its citizens

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

Mumbai residents have moved the Bombay High Court seeking a permanent solution to illegal hawkers taking over pavements and roads. A Borivli resident had filed a writ petition highlighting the disruptions caused by unauthorised vendors, who endanger pedestrians by eating up walking space.

The court asked the civic body what exactly was the problem in removing hawkers permanently. It said the authorities need to find a solution because there are no footpaths left for Mumbaikars to walk on.

This edit space has often focussed on illegal hawkers. Everybody knows that they are removed but they simply return. The civic body will need to find a permanent solution, either through hawker zones or some other way.

While that is on, it is vital that the few footpaths that are left free to walk on, do not pose a danger to pedestrians. The surface must allow for walking, it cannot be broken in parts or have cavities that are an invitation to falling and injuring oneself. We have witnessed people stumble over uneven surfaces, loose tiling and hurt themselves very badly.

There is also the fact that not just illegal hawkers but even some ‘legal' shops make extensions beyond their ‘legal' limits and slowly encroach on the footpath space. These additions of the legal structure, too, simply cannot be allowed and must be dealt with extremely swiftly and in a non-negotiable manner.

They have become debris dumps, especially in corners or at junctions, as convenient spots. Some footpaths are at a considerable height so that people have to take a huge step to climb them. Senior citizens often struggle to do so. Good signage on footpaths and proper lighting with streetlights also illuminating footpaths is a must. While the illegal hawker menace may be gargantuan, at least these facets of footpaths must be in place.