Lilian Pais, a resident and activist, said that they also regularly complain against hawkers. “The roads near Mount Mary church are overflowing with hawkers. The BMC had taken action on encroachment at the junction of John Baptist Road, Rebello Road, and Khadeswari Road Junction on March 1 and the roads were clear for a few days, but now all the activities started once again. There isn’t any space to walk or drive,” said Pais. 

Hawkers at the junction of St John Baptist Road. Pic/Shadab Khan

Poll

Who will win the Punjab Elections?

BJP 32.76%

AAP 43.10%

INC 24.14%

Submit

View All In Poll

Similarly, people face the nuisance of hawkers on Manuel Gonsalves Road and 7th Road near Almeida Park. Laila Khalid, another resident, said, “We are not against anyone making a living. But at the same time, we won’t allow any new hawkers on our road, and the old ones should not expand their stalls beyond the original limit. It is our right to walk on footpaths.”

Anandini Thakur, an activist and member of Khar Residents Association said, “There is a nexus between footpath stall owners and hawkers. Recently a stallholder on 32nd Road near Patwardhan Park on Linking Road was threatened by roaming hawkers as he objected to them staying in front of his stall. Such instances have increased and it may be dangerous for the public also.”

Sanjay Patil, Senior Inspector of Bandra Police Station who took action against the hawkers of Pali Hill said that they have taken action on other roads too. “Hill Road was the pilot project and we will soon take stringent action against hawkers on other roads too,” said Patil.  
  
Bandra, a suburb in Western Mumbai, is popular for street shopping, but the presence of hawkers and throngs of customers at these spots creates traffic issues 
for residents.