Mumbai Civic Chief Orders Strict Measures Against Unauthorized Hawkers
Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has ordered immediate and strict action against unauthorized hawkers, two days after a civic team was attacked during an eviction drive in the Kandivli area.
According to the BMC, the R ward officials were attacked by a mob while carrying out an anti-encroachment drive against unauthorized hawkers, resulting in damaged vehicles and machinery. Police have arrested five individuals and booked them under relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita.
Gagrani visited Vishwakarmanye Chowk in Kandivali to review the situation following the incident. The mob allegedly assaulted municipal officials and vandalized civic vehicles and equipment during the anti-encroachment operation on Friday. The civic chief also met with the officers and employees who were attacked to inquire about their condition, as stated in a release issued by the BMC.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner Bhagyashree Kapse and Assistant Municipal Commissioner of R ward Aarti Golekar, along with civic and police officials, were present during the review. Gagrani instructed officials to take strict action against unauthorized hawkers and shopkeepers who create obstructions on footpaths. He also directed the removal of vehicles parked on roads that cause inconvenience to traffic and pedestrians and ordered the immediate closure of a pizza outlet whose delivery motorcycles were allegedly parked haphazardly.
Gagrani emphasized that unauthorized hawking and illegal structures on footpaths create obstacles for pedestrians and vehicular movement. The civic body regularly undertakes action against such violations. However, attacks on officials performing their duties are condemnable, and the administration has taken serious note of the incident.
Preliminary findings indicated that, along with hawkers, some local college students were also part of the mob. Officials have been directed to initiate appropriate action. The BMC has stated that eviction drives against unauthorized hawkers and encroachments obstructing pedestrians and traffic will continue.
