Mumbai News: BMC Allowed Encroachments By Crawford Market Hawkers On MRA Marg, Alleges Civic Activist

Mumbai: In a blatant violation of its own rules, the BMC has allowed hawkers near the Croawfard Market to put stalls on the road in south Mumbai, civic activist Kamlakar Shenoy has alleged. In his complaint against BMC senior officials to Senior Police inspector of MRA Marg police station, Shenoy has demanded registration of FIR against BMC officials.

Alleged Road Encroachment

"The renovation of Crowfard Market is undergoing from last five years. Since then the BMC has allowed the hawkers to do business on DN Road. Additionally, now the area huge sheds installed on MRA Marg below the bridge. It is said they fish market is likely to be shifted here or some other hawkers will do business. It is nothing but road encroachment," Shenoy said.

BMC, Police Respond

Assistant Municipal Commissioner of A Ward, Jaideep More said, "The hawkers from Crowford market have been allowed to put their stalls outside the market, which is undergoing renovation. However, the matter is under the markets department."

Senior police inspector of MRA Marg police station, Santosh Dhanvate said that he has received the complaint by Shenoy and the police will follow-up with the BMC on the issue raised. "The sheds are regards to the work underway. If it is claimed, that hawking stalls will be put there, then BMC is the public authority to decide."

Regarding the stalls on DN Road, the police officer said that if the BMC has allowed them to run their business there, police cannot take action. "We will convey regarding the issue raised by Shenoy to BMC," Dhanvate said.

Activist Threatens Legal Action

The activist said that there are as many as 200 to 300 hawkers, occupying the road in the area, which also causes severe traffic jams. "If the police do not take action, after 14 days I will approach the magistrate court seeking action against BMC and police officials," Shenoy added.

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"The authorities are allowing hawkers to set precedent that public roads can be used for doing their business at the cost of citizens' inconvenience," he said.