The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has taken suo-motu cognisance of the ongoing issue of illegal hawker encroachments on S.V. Road, which has been causing disruptions to public transport services in Mumbai. The commission’s intervention follows a news report detailing how hawkers have overrun the road, forcing the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses to divert their routes, resulting in significant inconvenience to local commuters.
The SHRC, led by Justice K.K. Tated and M.A. Sayeed, has directed several key authorities to file responses regarding the matter. These include the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the General Manager of BEST, and the Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic). The commission has called for an affidavit to be submitted by these authorities, outlining the actions taken or planned to address the issue. According to the SHRC’s order, the encroachments on S.V. Road have reached such a level that it is difficult to determine whether the road was originally constructed for public use or for the exclusive benefit of street vendors. The road, which is a vital thoroughfare for residents and commuters, has been reduced to a congested space due to the hawkers’ illegal activities. As a result, BEST has been forced to divert its bus services, including routes 244, 246, and 277, causing undue inconvenience to the commuting public. The commission has noted that such disruptions are a clear violation of the human rights of residents who depend on public transport for their daily needs.
The SHRC also highlighted the apparent lack of action from the authorities, despite repeated complaints from local residents. The commission specifically pointed to a statement allegedly made by the Additional Municipal Commissioner of the ‘R’ Central Ward, who reportedly cited a shortage of manpower as the reason for the failure to clear the encroachments. The SHRC expressed strong disapproval of this explanation, stating that it is the responsibility of the municipal authorities to ensure that public roads remain free of illegal encroachments. With its intervention, the SHRC has underscored the urgency of addressing the growing issue of hawker encroachments, particularly in busy areas like S.V. Road, which are critical for smooth traffic and public transport operations. The commission’s orders are expected to prompt a swift response from the concerned authorities to resolve the issue and restore normalcy to the affected routes.
