3 min readMumbaiMar 20, 2025 03:43 PM IST
First published on: Mar 20, 2025 at 03:43 PM IST
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a drive Tuesday to remove unauthorised hawkers and encroachers from the footpaths of Mumbai in a move that is supposed to facilitate ease of walkability among pedestrians.
The initiative has been launched as part of the civic body’s “pedestrian first” policy, which was proposed during this year’s civic budget. This policy aims to reclaim public spaces, such as footpaths and sidewalks, that have been encroached upon by street vendors and illegal occupants. The civic authorities have also allocated a nominal budget of Rs 100 crore for this initiative, which will be used to enhance Mumbai’s infrastructure for walkability.
Officials emphasised that, in addition to improving walkability for citizens, road safety concerns also motivated authorities to ensure sufficient space on footpaths for pedestrians. They said this encourages people to walk on the sidewalks rather than the main roads.
“The entire policy must be implemented in a multi-step approach. In the first step, we will remove encroachers from public spaces and reclaim those areas. In the second step, we will identify walking paths, such as footpaths, that are in poor condition or dilapidated, and we will take steps to repair and strengthen them,” said an official.
“The initiative will include the removal of hawkers and any unauthorised encroachments, such as shanties, that may have been constructed on public property. Additionally, abandoned vehicles that take up public space will also be removed as part of this effort,” the official explained.
How will this drive be implemented?
According to the BMC’s data, 32,415 eligible hawkers are registered with the civic body in Mumbai. However, the hawkers’ union claims that the actual footfall of hawkers in Mumbai ranges from 3,50,000 to 4,00,000.
The BMC has initiated a drive to address unauthorised hawking in high-footfall zones. Key areas identified for this pilot programme include locations outside railway stations, major traffic junctions, and business districts. As part of this effort, the BMC has removed over 100 unauthorised hawkers from the F/North ward, which includes areas such as Sion and Matunga.
Civic officials said areas such as Byculla, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Churchgate, Masjid, Reay Road, and Sandhurst Road have been identified as key focuses for this drive, which has been both intensified and regularised.
Currently, teams of officials from various civic departments, such as licensing, solid waste management, removal of encroachment, public health, and building proposals, are starting the initiative.
“Typically, these kinds of drives were infrequent and not regular, leading to hawkers returning and encroaching on public spaces. This created a never-ending cycle. However, we have ensured that the drive will be continuous this time, keeping the footpaths clear of encroachers. In the long run, we also plan to appoint additional personnel to monitor these public spaces and prevent any encroachment regularly,” an official said.
The BMC has initiated a drive to address unauthorised hawking in high-footfall zones. (Express Archive/Amit Chakravarty) 
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