Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has removed over 8,000 illegal hawkers and 1,000 unauthorised hoardings across the city. The intensive operation, spanning all eight regional zones, follows an alarming rise in encroachments during the Diwali season that had caused severe congestion and safety concerns for citizens.
According to civic officials, the enforcement drive targeted unauthorised vending on footpaths, roads, and near railway stations, as well as illegal hoardings, banners, and unlicensed parking. The Encroachment Department, under the supervision of the municipal commissioner and senior officials, coordinated round-the-clock operations across nodes including Belapur, Nerul, Seawoods, and Koparkhairane. In total, action was taken against 330 unauthorised shop owners, 8,488 illegal hawkers, and 14 improperly parked vehicles. Over 1,100 unapproved hoardings and banners were dismantled, with the civic body collecting penalties amounting to ₹7.45 lakh. “The objective is not only to enforce order but to ensure pedestrian safety and cleaner public spaces,” a senior official said.
The NMMC has adopted a three-shift operational model to ensure sustained monitoring around railway stations and commercial hubs, which see the highest encroachment levels. Officials noted that the festive period had prompted a surge in temporary vendors occupying footpaths and carriageways, worsening congestion and hindering emergency vehicle access. A high-level coordination meeting involving municipal, police, and traffic departments is scheduled later this week to identify permanent measures for regulating roadside vending and parking zones. This integrated approach aims to balance enforcement with organised vending solutions that protect both livelihood and civic order.
Urban planners and civic experts have emphasised that managing informal trade through structured hawking zones and participatory planning could help maintain city cleanliness without undermining livelihoods. “Rather than sporadic drives, a data-driven vending management system with citizen participation will yield longer-term results,” an urban policy expert observed. The civic body reiterated its commitment to preserving Navi Mumbai’s image as one of India’s most well-planned and cleanest cities. Officials have directed regional officers to continue routine surveillance and file cases against repeat offenders. Future actions will also target illegal advertising structures to safeguard the city’s visual environment.
Through this sustained enforcement, NMMC aims to ensure Navi Mumbai’s streets remain safe, accessible, and equitable — aligning with the city’s long-term vision of sustainable and inclusive urban development.
Navi Mumbai Clears 8000 Hawkers In Civic Campaign
