Advertisement
In this episode of Prop Personalities, we sit down with Hars...
Luxury real estate is one of the most talked-about segments ...
Welcome to Prop Personalities by Prop News Time - a podcast ...
Airports play a much bigger role than just enabling travel -...
Why does the same hotel brand operate multiple properties in...
Kurla and Ghatkopar remain among Mumbai's most affected areas when it comes to illegal hawking, leading to congestion and safety concerns. Repeated action by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has failed to provide long-term relief, as hawkers often return soon after eviction drives. Busy locations near railway stations and major roads are the most impacted. The issue continues despite court directions and planned regulations, pointing to gaps in enforcement, lack of proper hawking zones, and challenges in managing the large number of unlicensed vendors operating in the city.
Kurla and Ghatkopar have continued to remain key hotspots for illegal hawking in Mumbai, with civic authorities struggling to control the situation in these high-density areas. Locations around railway stations, market areas, and major roads in both suburbs are regularly occupied by unauthorised vendors, affecting pedestrian movement and adding to traffic congestion. Advertisement
Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation have indicated that these areas consistently face high levels of encroachment due to heavy footfall and commercial activity. Footpaths and access points near stations in Kurla and Ghatkopar are often blocked, forcing pedestrians to walk on roads and increasing safety risks, especially during peak hours.
Multiple eviction drives have been carried out in the past, but the impact has remained temporary. In several instances, civic teams cleared encroachments and removed unauthorised stalls, particularly in Kurla, where dozens of structures were taken down in a single drive. However, hawkers tend to return within a short period, highlighting the difficulty in ensuring sustained enforcement.
The issue has persisted despite directions from the Bombay High Court, which had earlier instructed authorities to take strict and regular action against illegal hawking across identified congestion points in the city. Kurla and Ghatkopar were among the locations flagged for continuous monitoring, but implementation on the ground has remained inconsistent.
Civic officials have also pointed out that enforcement alone is not enough to address the problem. A large number of hawkers in Mumbai continue to operate without valid licences, while the process of identifying authorised vendors and setting up designated hawking zones has been slow. The delay in forming and fully operationalising town vending committees has further affected regulation efforts.
The situation is more challenging in areas along key stretches such as LBS Marg and near major transit points, where high commuter movement and limited space make enforcement difficult. Encroachments in such locations not only disrupt traffic but also affect nearby shops and formal businesses.
Overall, Kurla and Ghatkopar continue to reflect the broader issue of illegal hawking across Mumbai, where repeated drives have not yet resulted in a long-term solution.
5th Jun, 2025
25th May, 2023
11th May, 2023
27th Apr, 2023
Advertisement
Facebook
Whatsapp
