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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) continues to struggle with unauthorized hawkers occupying entrances near Aqua Line 3 Metro stations, despite daily inspections and enforcement measures. Vendors temporarily vacate areas during crackdowns but return shortly after, creating congestion and obstructing pedestrian movement. Officials admit the recurring nature of the problem and note that festive periods see an increase in hawking activity. The situation reflects the ongoing difficulty of managing illegal vending in Mumbai's public spaces, even as major infrastructure projects like Aqua Line 3 are completed.
Mumbai's Aqua Line 3 Metro, a major city infrastructure project costing about INR 37,270 crore, has opened to the public but is already facing challenges with illegal hawkers near station entrances. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been attempting to manage the situation, particularly around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other key stations. Advertisement
Despite daily inspections and efforts to remove these vendors, the hawkers often return within hours. They use strategies like temporarily vacating their stalls when BMC officials arrive and resuming business shortly after enforcement teams leave. One vendor explained that they quickly pack up during inspections but reopen soon after, while another said they operate mainly in the evening, relocating when authorities approach.
BMC officials recognize the difficulty in maintaining long-term control. Jaideep More, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of A Ward, highlighted that daily inspections are conducted but the vendors' return requires frequent and sometimes unannounced visits. Rohit Trivedi, Assistant Municipal Commissioner of E Ward, noted that even when daytime patrols find no hawkers, festive seasons see a surge in activity, prompting renewed action plans.
The recurring issue emphasizes the persistent nature of unauthorized hawking in Mumbai's busy public spaces. Regular inspections, confiscation of goods, and temporary removals have not offered a permanent solution. Officials are exploring more consistent enforcement measures while balancing the need to maintain accessibility for pedestrians and commuters. The ongoing situation demonstrates how urban infrastructure projects, while transformative, are often accompanied by challenges in controlling informal economic activities.
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