Mumbai: Action postponed against 54 Fashion Street hawkers

Mumbai: Officials of ward A have postponed action against 54 stall owners of Fashion Street near south Mumbai after a semblance of compliance was observed following notices issued to them three days ago. Ward A had issued notices to 54 hawkers of Fashion Street, threatening to cancel their licenses owing to violation of terms of their contract with BMC. The notices were issued on Friday, giving the hawkers a 24-hour-window to clean up their act. Following this, BMC threatened to revoke their licenses.

Assistant municipal commissioner of A ward, Kiran Dighavkar said, “The action was due on Monday and their licenses were supposed to be revoked. But when I visited the place, I noticed that stall owners had quite proper displays on Monday following the notice. So, we will wait a couple of days more, and see what action is to be taken."

The notice issued by BMC last week pointed at three violations by Fashion Street’s licensed hawkers. Several license-holders were not stall-owners and were absent from their stalls during the day. The 54 hawkers had also illegally encroached on the footpath, occupying more than 1X1 metre space allotted to them. Further, the stalls used metal rods, bamboo sticks and tarpaulin sheets to extend their stall space and put items on display on these extensions. While licenses were issued for sale of particular goods, many were found selling goods other than those for which they had permission.

All of this was inconveniencing pedestrians no end and blocking walking space on the footpath. Acting on complaints, BMC issued notices to revoke licenses within 24 hours, if shops did not comply with terms of their contract. Fashion Street currently holds a total of 355 stalls on both sides.