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ShareMumbai: Ensure that pedestrians are not inconvenienced by hawkers
If hawking on footpaths is regularised in a proper manner, then a few areas can be allotted to hawkers. But authorities must ensure that there is enough space left for pedestrians. The idea of weekend food courts should be tried since the people in Mumbai enjoy eating. However, the rules must be stringent enough so that it is strictly on weekends. Otherwise it will only create more mess. It is very difficult to control jaywalking which is a common phenomenon and food courts on pavements might add to it. Therefore, we need to regulate it. I think the BMC has enough personnel to keep a check on illegal hawkers.
--Ritu Poddar
Food stalls should maintain high hygiene standards
The BMC's plan to regulate hawkers is not good since it may lead to health problems. We all know how unhygienic street food is. If the authorities can make sure that strict hygiene standards will be adhered to by all stalls owners, then having weekend food courts is a good idea. Mumbai is known for its delicacies and there should not be any problem in BMC promoting it. It will only make life in the city more enjoyable. Jaywalking might be a problem and BMC will have to come up with a fool-proof plan for regulating this. If hawkers are not regulated then it might cause traffic problems and accidents too.
--Vinita Kandoi
Vendors may misuse innovative concept by operating 24/7
Mumbai lacks footpaths and most of them are in bad shape or taken over by squatters and hawkers. Regulating hawking on the city's streets is not a bad idea, but I don't think that the BMC is ready for it. Anyway, we hardly see any of the BMC's plans getting executed effectively. The corporation starts a good initiative and then leaves it half-way, moreover there is no way to monitor its quality. Although, the idea of weekend food courts is not bad, but I feel that vendors will stretch it over weekdays. Even now there are many unlicensed hawkers who operate round-the-clock and no one is doing anything about it.
--Ankit K
It is not a feasible option to rehabilitate hawkers this way
I strongly believe that there is no space on the footpaths. This may be a good idea but it's not quite appropriate for a city like Mumbai. It will starve people of their legitimate space. It will surely lead to jaywalking and exacerbate problems oftraffic congestion. In a metropolis like Mumbai, where we are facing a major influx of migration and rise in population it will be difficult to implement such plans. I think it is impractical and certainly not a feasible option to rehabilitate hawkers. People don't follow basic civic rules in the city, the hawkers, in all likelihood, will defy the guidelines.
--Jeeth Kundar
Concept of street food courts have been popular all over Asia
A new proposal has been put forth by the BMC for the hawkers. Citispace hasn't received the exact details of the proposal yet. But whatever details about the offer that are coming out through the media, it seems feasible as this concept has been executed all over south east Asia. This is a very good idea for both residents and hawkers.Especially if they start municipal markets then there are possibilities that unauthorised hawkers will be checked and encroachments can be curbed on the footpaths. The success of the plan depends on two things. First, how the BMC goes ahead with implementation of the guidelines by coordinating with other departments like the police. Secondly, the hawkers' union must provide exact data on the number of hawkers, which was asked by the Supreme Court. This is not the first time that BMC has come up with an idea to avoid blockages at busy places like railway stations, educational places and shrines.
--Neera Punj, convener, NGO Citispace
Residents will see if regulations are followed by hawkers
There is enough space on city's footpaths to regulate hawking and have weekend food courts. I think it's a good idea and I'm sure the BMC will have enough regulations regarding the areas, for instance areas like Ballard Pier would be one of the ideal locations for such plans. As long as the hawkers don't flout the guidelines, I think it's a good move. At the same time, it's important that they take the locals into confidence. Whatever they are planning in the vicinity, local residents have to be informed and updated. Even if there are commercial undertakings in the area, then they must speak to them and get their approval. It is important that nothing should be imposed on people. The type of night food kiosks for licensed hawkers that the BMC is planning is going back to the village type of haat arrangement. Citizens need to keep a vigilant eye and see that the regulations are followed.
--Vidya Vaidya, Bandra resident and activist
