In a bid to tackle the growing issue of hawker encroachments in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had proposed creating underground markets, inspired by Delhi’s Palika Bazaar, to offer hawkers a structured space while keeping roads and footpaths free. One of the pilot projects, located at Ganpatrao Ambre Udyan in Andheri West, was designed to relocate around 500 hawkers from the crowded Andheri station area. This ambitious plan included a two-level underground hawking plaza, complete with parking facilities, while the park above would be restored once construction was complete.
However, the project has encountered significant opposition, stalling its progress. A government official has voiced concerns over the feasibility of the proposed location, suggesting that it might not generate the necessary footfall that the hawkers currently enjoy near Andheri station. He has instead recommended an alternative site beneath the existing Andheri Market, which is situated closer to key areas like SV Road and the station, arguing that this would better support the hawkers’ business needs. This pushback has forced the BMC to put the project on hold for further evaluation and adjustments. In addition to the Andheri project, the BMC has instructed officials from the city’s 24 administrative wards to scout for other potential spaces for similar underground hawking markets. These markets are intended to be in high-footfall areas, such as railway stations, to ensure the accessibility and utility of the spaces for both hawkers and citizens.
Meanwhile, the delay in this initiative has prompted criticism over the BMC’s failure to enforce an effective hawking policy. The Bombay High Court has highlighted the persistent problem of illegal hawker encroachments and noted the BMC and state government’s inability to properly implement the Street Vendors Act, 2014, which seeks to regulate and manage street vending. Despite the legal framework in place, encroachments continue to disrupt public spaces, and the court has directed authorities to collaborate with the Town Vending Committee to finalize a viable hawking policy by September 2024. While the idea of underground markets offers a promising solution to the ongoing hawker-related challenges in Mumbai, the success of the project will depend on addressing local concerns, overcoming logistical issues, and implementing a comprehensive, enforceable policy. The BMC must strike a balance between facilitating the hawkers’ needs and ensuring public convenience in urban planning.