Bandra gets its own freeway: Relief for pedestrians as 200 unauthorised hawkers and vehicles cleared
By Linah BaligaLinah Baliga, Mumbai Mirror | Updated: Jul 12, 2019, 07:24 IST
Six months after declaring the Bandra shopping hub a hawking zone, BMC hands it back to residents; hefty fines send motorists to public parking lot.
This is a sight that'll take getting used to: a relatively empty Hill Road. Bandra's popular— but hitherto packed—flea market has been cleared of over 200 unauthorised hawkers and vehicles in a drive that began on July 7.
Now only around 30 licensed stall owners remain, said civic officials. With the encroachments gone, pedestrians and motorists are heaving a sigh of relief.
The action against illegal hawkers came along with the BMC's move to levy a fine of up to Rs 10,000 on those parking on roads within 500 m of public parking lots.
Although such hawkers have been driven out several times in the past, civic officials are certain that they wouldn't return anymore.
Only 30 licensed hawkers now remain on Hill Road
With its growing popularity as a shopping paradise over the years— with hawkers operating cheek by jowl and shoppers parking their cars willy-nilly—the area had earned the pejorative of 'Hell Road'. The removal of encroachments is, therefore, a big win for Bandra residents, who had for years pitched a battle with the BMC to take back their space.
The BMC's action was a surprise as it had declared Hill Road as a hawking zone in January this year. The volteface came after the civic body realised it needed the footpath for its road-widening project. An official from the H-West ward said getting rid of unauthorised hawkers was the simplest way to decongest the stretch.
Sharad Ughade, assistant commissioner of the ward, said, "A team from the maintenance department was posted in the area from 9 am-11 pm every day this week. There were also personnel from the license department, as was a van from the anti-encroachment department. Thanks to their sustained action, there isn't a single illegal hawker on Hill Road anymore."
Photos by Satish Malavade
He said illegal building extensions are also under scrutiny.
Civic officials said they will allow shops and restaurants, from Mehboob Studio to Lucky Restaurant junction, to expand vertically instead of eating into the road. "Whatever portions come in the way of the road alignment were taken away. Commercial establishments will be compensated by being allowed to construct vertically. A prominent restaurant on Hill Road has been served a notice for this," said an official.
Anil Joseph, chairman of citizens' group Perry Road Association, credited parking penalties with getting motorists to toe the line. "There is a multi-storey public parking lot in the neighbourhood, that charges nominal fees. The road is now clearly less congested than before. Also, having an anti-hawking team till 11 pm has ensured that those packed off are not given a window to return."
Derek Talker, a resident, felt that the area had never looked "this pristine". "Hill Road has finally been handed back to those it belongs to— its citizens."
Over 200 hawkers have been sent packing off Hill Road. Just six months ago, Hill Road was a different ball game