Mumbai: The vendors from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Fish Market will soon be shifted under the sheds erected on the MRA Marg. This is the same location where the local activists had recently protested about continued encroachments by the hawkers on the road.
This follows the trend set after hawkers from the Crawford market were temporarily permitted to do their business on the footpath and road outside the market building five years ago, and will continue until the redeveloped Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market is ready for possession.
Activists Question Legality of Roadside Stalls
“Although the hawkers are licenced, the fact that they are permitted to do business on the roads is against basic municipal rules. Even if the permission is temporary, under what law is the permission given? The stalls are obstructing public roads. Considering the pace of redevelopment work at the Crawford market building, it will take many more years. Why should citizens continue to suffer?” questioned activist Kamlakar Shenoy.
On Tuesday, Shenoy, along with other activists, protested outside BMC’s A ward office, demanding to make the road outside Crawford Market hawkers-free.
Redeveloped Crawford Market to Take Two More Years
Assistant municipal commissioner (Markets) Manish Valanju said, “It will take around two more years to complete the redevelopment work of Crawford market. The hawkers are given temporary permission to do business outside the market, and the permission is valid until the market is ready.”
Temporary Permission Until Market Completion
The officer added that under the sheds set up at the MRA Marg, the vendors from the fish market will be temporarily shifted. Once the occupation certificate of the Crawford Market is received, which is expected soon, the vendors will be placed there.
