The Bombay High Court has issued a stern directive to address the escalating issue of unauthorised hawkers and vendors occupying public spaces. On Tuesday, Justices M.S. Sonak and Kamal Khata underscored the severity of the problem, calling for immediate and effective measures from the authorities to alleviate the situation.
During a recent hearing, the division bench expressed its deep concern about the adverse impacts on public spaces, shop owners, and even those hawkers who operate with valid licences. “The problem is vast and complex,” remarked the bench. “It is essential that proactive measures be taken to prevent further disruptions. No one—be it the general public, legitimate shopkeepers, or authorised hawkers—should suffer due to this issue.” The court had previously initiated suo motu proceedings on the matter, prompting both the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra government to submit detailed affidavits outlining their actions and future strategies to combat the encroachment of unauthorised hawkers.
According to the BMC’s submission, the corporation has identified 20 critical areas in Mumbai, where regular monitoring is in place to prevent illegal stalls from setting up. Despite these efforts, the court noted that the problem remains pervasive. “Time and place management strategies are necessary,” the bench observed, stressing the need for improved regulatory frameworks. The court has mandated that the hawkers’ union file an affidavit to address the concerns raised, particularly regarding the reported forcible removal of vendors with valid licences.
The BMC has asserted that it conducts daily inspections across all municipal wards to enforce hawking regulations. Additionally, measures such as maintaining a 150-metre hawker-free zone around suburban railway stations and designating specific areas for hawking have been implemented. However, the court highlighted the need for a more robust and proactive approach to effectively manage the burgeoning problem of unauthorised hawkers. The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, where further discussions will be held to evaluate the adequacy of the measures proposed and their implementation.
