Bombay High Court Calls for Action Against Unauthorized Hawkers

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday emphasized the need for proactive measures against unauthorized hawkers and vendors on public roads and footpaths. Justices M S Sonak and Kamal Khata highlighted that no one should suffer from this problem. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Maharashtra government reported steps taken to curb the issue.

Unauthorised hawkers and vendors on public roads and footpaths pose a mammoth problem, the Bombay High Court said on Tuesday, calling for proactive measures from the authorities.

A division bench of Justices M S Sonak and Kamal Khata emphasized that nobody should suffer as a result of this pervasive issue.

"No one should suffer... the public should not suffer... shop owners should not suffer... hawkers with a legal and valid license should also not suffer," the court asserted.

Last year, the high court took suo motu cognizance of the problem of illegal and unauthorized hawkers in the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra government submitted affidavits detailing actions taken and future plans to prevent recurrence of the issue.

BMC counsel Anil Singh reported that 20 areas in the city were identified for regular surveillance to prevent unauthorized hawkers from setting up stalls. Time and place management were deemed critical by the court.

Senior counsel Gayatri Singh, representing the hawkers union, argued that licensed hawkers are also forcibly removed by civic authorities. The court acknowledged this, stating that those with permission should be given full protection, while those without licenses overwhelm others. The bench directed the union to file an affidavit for further hearing on Thursday.

BMC's affidavit mentioned that daily checks in all wards ensure no unauthorized stalls are put up, with certain areas around suburban railway stations kept hawker-free and specific hawking zones earmarked.