Residents protest against plan to make Colaba Causeway hawking zone

Colaba Causeway entails the entire lane of Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, starting from Regal Cinema. Hawkers have set up shops on the footpaths. Residents complain of difficulty for pedestrians due to these illegal encroachments.

“Sidewalks and footpaths are meant for walking. There is no space for people to walk due to these shops,” Mustaffa Eran, a resident said.

Raj Purohit, BJP President of Colaba, has also suggested strict action against the lane being declared a hawking zone. “We will approach the BMC corporators and other ministers and let them know about the issues. Disciplining, organising and relocating these hawkers has become the need of the hour,” he added.

Residents also suggested shifting the hawkers to the 400 m Mahatma Gandhi Road which starts from Prince Whales Museum till Kalaghoda. “We do not want to take away their licences or their livelihood. Shifting them will let them continue and also free the footpaths,” Sapna Thanawalla, member of Colaba Heritage Resident Association, said.

Residents also complained against the ‘nexus’ between the traffic police, the BMC and the hawkers.

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