We take regular action against hawkers: BMC

On the day the Mumbai High Court banned cooking on streets, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has claimed that it has been taking regular action against illegal hawkers. While the BMC is currently in process of demarcating new hawking zones in line with the Supreme Court guidelines, it said stalls of illegal hawkers were being removed.

The resident groups, however, have urged the civic body to take even more stern action in the case. "Hawkers are not allowed to cook on the road in the usual manner. Use of cylinders is also not allowed. We take regular action against such unauthorised hawkers. We will study the court's order and draft an action plan," said a senior civic official.

According to the national hawking policy, there can be around 3 lakh hawkers in Mumbai, based on a formula that takes the city's population into consideration. While around 1.3 lakh hawkers had enrolled to get licenses, around 40,000 were rejected. The BMC is currently in the process of giving licenses to the remaining hawkers.

The residents have welcomed the court's ruling. "This is a welcome move. The BMC should take stern action against illegal cooking on the road, as it is a safety hazard. The BMC must not wait for a Kurla like tragedy," said Makarand Narvekar, citizen Corporator from Colaba.