Illegal hawkers – niggling problem for pedestrians and motorists!
The hawker menace continues to haunt Mulundkars. The tall claims of BMC providing legalized hawking pitches to hawkers are just limited to paper. Hence, hawkers are forced to do business on roads and streets. Most of the prime roads in Mulund like RRT Road, MG Road, Ganesh Gawde Road, J.S. Dosa Road,etc., can be seen packed with stalls and illegal hawkers doing roaring business. These vendors are not only a menace to pedestrians but a key hurdle in the smooth flow of traffic.
Interestingly, while BMC T-Ward claims that they are taking action against illegal hawkers repeatedly, citizens claim the action is just an eyewash because as soon as the action is over, the hawkers are back in business. A Mulund resident said, “It has been usually seen the moment BMC Encroachment Department van approaches the road, the hawkers are alerted in advance. Hence, before the Encroachment Department van arrives, the hawkers comfortably hide their business establishments and move off! So, the big question is: With hawkers off the roads, BMC will take action against whom?”
There are also complaints that many times Mulundkars have observed BMC T-Ward Encroachment Department van standing outside Mulund station minus any officer or worker inside the van!! What is most shocking is that, despite the van’s presence, a large number of hawkers can be seen fearlessly selling fruits and vegetable at a stone’s throw distance of just 50 meters away from the van!!!
When Home Times spoke to some Mulundkars, two women said, “We usually see the Encroachment Department van either passing by or standing near the public bridge. We have never seen any T-Ward Encroachment Department official taking action against any vendor.” “Until the Encroachment Department unleashes terror on these hawkers, it would be difficult to stop illegal hawking in Mumbai,” they said angrily.
When Home Times asked T-Ward about the reason behind not finalising the hawking pitches for hawkers, T-Ward Encroachment Department officer Shinde said, “When we had distributed forms for legal pitches more than 3000 hawkers had filled the forms, but just 900 were legal.” He added, “Secondly when we distributed the forms many hawkers were not in town. Hence, we have to repeat the distribution of forms for those who were absent. From these new forms again, we have to check their status. This will take another 3 months.”
