Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to temporarily shift vendors from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Fish Market to sheds constructed at MRA Marg, amid ongoing concerns about road encroachments.
This move comes in the wake of protests by local activists over hawkers occupying public roads, particularly near the Crawford Market area. The situation mirrors a previous arrangement made five years ago when hawkers were allowed to operate on footpaths outside Crawford Market during its redevelopment.
Despite being licensed, activists argue that permitting vendors to conduct business on public roads violates municipal norms. “Even if temporary, under what law is this permission granted? Why should citizens suffer prolonged inconvenience?” questioned activist Kamlakar Shenoy during a protest outside the BMC’s A ward office on Tuesday.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner (Markets) Manish Valanju stated that the Crawford Market redevelopment is expected to take at least two more years. Until then, vendors will operate from the MRA Marg sheds, with full relocation to the redeveloped Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market to follow once the occupancy certificate is secured.
