Bombay HC seeks BMC response for solution to unlicenced hawker issue

The High Court had then said that BMC should ensure “actually walkable” footpaths are available for pedestrians including elderly and disabled people by removing encroachments by unlicensed hawkers.

It had also sought to know from authorities on the current policy about hawkers who function outside hawking zones and hamper pedestrian movement.

The Bombay Bar Association (BBA), oldest organisation of lawyers, practising before Bombay HC, had also filed an interim plea complaining about persons using the footpaths and sidewalks to set up stalls around Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) or High Court area.

On February 12, the bench identified some issues for the civic body’s consideration. It requested senior advocate S U Kamdar for Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to “ prepare a short note identifying further specific troubles and problems that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation faces regarding licensing hawkers, the continued problem of hawking outside designated hawking zones and the periodic removal of unlicensed hawkers.”

“This is a city-wide problem. At this stage, we do not know whether they admit of a single solution or a series of smaller steps,” the HC noted.

Seeking BMC’s response, the HC posted the matter for further hearing to March 1.