The Bandra Fair at the Mount Mary church, which attracts lakhs of people, has come under the scanner of the Bombay high court. A PIL has been filed, alleging that the civic body has not taken necessary safety precautions. The 8-day-long Fair commences on September 14 this year.
A division bench of justices AV Mohta and Amjad Sayed on Wednesday asked the BMC to file its reply on the allegations by Bandra resident, Lilian Pais.
Following PILs by Pais and H-West Ward citizens in 2012, the HC had directed the BMC to form a comprehensive policy with regard to safety and hawking, in order to avoid residents or hawkers who have any opposition, to knock on the doors of the HC in future.
The policy was to be framed with regards to the auction of stalls, where and how many would be allowed.
Dipesh Siroya, Pais' advocate, argued that despite the HC order, the BMC has not taken serious steps to ensure residents' safety in case of any untoward incident. Also, the BMC has not taken into account the traffic problems and safety suggestions issued by the fire dept.
However, the BMC advocate opposed the PIL and sought time to file a reply. The PIL prays for a formation of a monitoring committee to check the safety aspects.
The petitioner had contended that as per the supreme court to decide on hawking and non-hawking zones, the entire area surrounding the church falls in the non-hawking zone.
Also, despite the BMC resolution permitting a certain number of hawkers, over 500 hawkers encroach on all 12 lanes in Bandra for 10 days and the corporation does not take any action against them.
Besides, there are several traffic restrictions which cause inconvenience to the residents. The already narrow lanes become inaccessible during the fair, for ambulances and school buses, claimed the petition.
The HC has kept the PIL for hearing after one week.
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