Borivali locals don't want hawker spots on their footpaths

As the city administration has started marking pitches for hawkers in Borivali, locals are raising objections, with some going to the civic ward office to say they won't allow even licensed hawkers to operate from their premises.

In keeping with the Supreme Court's order for implementing the 2014 Street Vendors' Act, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is scrutinising 99,000 application forms received from hawkers. On Tuesday, it started marking pitches in R-Central ward, which comprises Borivali.

"About 5,000 hawkers submitted forms for R-Central and 500 are eligible so far. We will finalise the number after October 15, the last date of submission of domicile certificate. We have identified 2,500 spots, beginning with Ashokvan and Gorai areas," said Ramakant Biradar, assistant ward officer, R-Central.

But residents are objecting to the designated areas. "In 2012, BMC razed compound walls of our eight buildings to widen roads and footpaths, and already vehicles are encroaching pavements. BMC is not taking action despite our complaints. And now, they are marking pitches for hawkers who have been doing business illegally all these years," said Nitant Pednekar, a resident of Dhavalgiri building in Ashokvan.

Hawkers will also need public toilets, potable water, and garbage disposal facilities. "Where will all this be erected?" said another resident.

Officer Biradar said: "We will shift hawkers from narrow roads in Borivali East station area to Ashokvan. We are also planning to shift hawkers from Borivali West station area to Devidas and Chandavarkar Lanes. Some residents are opposing the pitches but that's not a big issue."

PITCH IMPERFECT

• BMC marked some 600 pitches in Borivali: Gorai Road, Lokmanya Tilak Road, Chandvarkar Road and Devidas Road.