Bombay High Court banning hawking within 150 meters of railway stations, hawkers in Borivli appear undeterred in their illegal activities. On Jambli Gully, a key connector to the bustling SV Road, vendors are openly selling their goods, even in the vicinity of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) anti-encroachment vehicle stationed nearby. This blatant disregard for the law has left residents frustrated, as the vendors continue to occupy spaces meant for pedestrian and vehicle movement, further congesting an already busy road.
The encroachment on Jambli Gully, situated close to the Borivli railway station, has become a growing concern, with hawkers selling their wares despite the presence of BMC’s anti-encroachment vehicle. This vehicle, stationed near Moksh Plaza, is meant to prevent such activities, but with the staff often not present or positioned far from the vehicle, vendors take advantage of the situation and continue setting up their stalls. Residents of the area are increasingly vocal about the issue. “The problem isn’t just with the authorities and the hawkers but also with the people who buy goods from them,” said one Borivli resident, requesting anonymity. “If the buying stops, the selling will stop too,” they added, urging fellow citizens to take a stand and boycott those contributing to the encroachment. This growing frustration is echoed by others in the area, who believe that the continued presence of hawkers is not only a breach of the law but also a public inconvenience.
Sudesh Naik, a local resident, emphasized the scale of the issue, noting that Jambli Gully, like other parts of Borivli, has been slowly overtaken by hawkers. He pointed out that the encroachment has caused such congestion that vehicles are often unable to pass freely. What is most alarming, Naik notes, is the hawkers’ apparent lack of fear or respect for the BMC’s efforts, as they continue to sell just next to the anti-encroachment vehicle without hesitation. Sandhya Nandedkar, the assistant municipal commissioner of the R Central ward, acknowledged the situation, attributing the ongoing issue to staff occasionally being absent from their assigned posts. “The vehicles are stationed at the spot, but sometimes the staff accompanying them are not nearby, and hawkers take advantage of this lapse,” she explained. The issue of street vendors in Borivli is a longstanding one, with several parts of the suburb, including the Bhaji Market Gully, also grappling with similar encroachment problems. While the law is clear, the consistent enforcement of these rules remains a challenge, leaving residents and commuters to bear the brunt of the consequences.
