The H West ward has identified footpath encroachments and societies that allow hawkers to operate from their premises for action. Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Pallewad inspected the Hill Road stretch on Wednesday after ALM 74 chairman Rohinton Polishwala wrote to the municipal commissioner seeking action against alleged illegal hawking and encroachments.
Pallewad told mid-day that the inspection had identified individuals to be served notices for encroachment and that societies permitting hawkers would also be issued notices. He said the civic body intended to remove the encroachments from the area within 15 days and would follow up with enforcement measures where required.
Hill Road is a major shopping stretch that attracts large crowds and vendors, but residents living along the road and in adjoining lanes said the scale of hawking had made the area increasingly difficult to navigate. The ALM 74 chairman said residents had repeatedly raised the issue with the civic body and had clashed with hawkers while trying to keep thoroughfares clear.
He said hawkers had increasingly moved into buildings and set up shops in parking areas or by gates, and that earlier assurances from the civic body had not translated into visible change. The civic administration's move to identify and serve notices to both hawkers and buildings allowing shops forms part of wider efforts to regulate public space and complete the road widening work in Mumbai, with officials indicating that removals in other stretches were advancing as project works proceeded.
Residents and traders were advised that enforcement would focus on reclaiming footpaths and ensuring pedestrian access as the municipal corporation proceeds with the planned interventions.