Mumbai: Despite repeated attempts, the BMC has failed to clear the footpaths outside Matunga Central Railway station, which are occupied by hawkers, specially the flowers stalls. After two successful attempts in March to demolish the stalls at Bhandarkar Road and Telang Road, the F-North ward office took action last week again. However, in no time the stalls were back in business, an official from the ward said.
"A major demolition action wasn't taken like in March, but we removed the stalls week as per our usual practice. But next day the hawkers resumed their business," the officer said.
The FPJ had reported on March 8 that In the ongoing battle between the BMC and flower sellers of Matunga, the latter clearly gained the upper hand. The BMC had bulldozed 52 stalls in the morning, but by evening the sellers were back in business. When the civic demolition squad returned on Friday morning, the hawkers physically prevented them from going ahead by squatting in front of the bull dozers.
Soon after the strict action on the flower stalls, the then Assistant Municipal Commissioner Nitin Shukla was transferred from the F-North ward.
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The residents alleged the hawkers show rowdy behaviour and start verbal fights if any authorities go for action. "The hawkers have created nuisance. There have been incidents where workers of political parties also clash over unauthorised hawkers removal in Sion and Matunga area. Across Matunga, we now see new stalls of garments and vegetables coming up, especially on Bhandarkar Road, NL Road, Telang Road etc," said local resident and activist Chetan Trivedi.
Trivedi added that the current assistant municipal commissioner pays no heed to the residents complaints and have not arranged meetings with the activists despite repeated requests.
Despite repeated attempts Assistant Municipal Commissioner (F-North) Arun Kshirsagar could not be reached for a comment.
The residents also allege that the hawkers have an upper hand over the BMC due to strong political support, especially from BJP MLA Tamil Selvan. Speaking with the FPJ earlier, Selvan had said that the flower stalls owners are licenced stalls and the demolition action was unwarranted.
Notably, the many stalls in Matunga flower market are licenced hawkers, however have expanded their stalls, added a floor, thereby encroaching the footpaths. While many stalls are unauthorised. As per sources from the ward office, the flower stalls have also taken illegal water connection.
