MUMBAI: Sunday saw a rash of protests across the city against the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s draft development plan 2034 and the proposed hawking policy. Thousands took to the streets following the civic authorites’ reluctance to rectify its mistakes. The present deadline for submitting objections/suggestions to the DP is April 24.
The protests were organized with help from activists, NGOs and local residents’ associations.
Nearly 1,000 residents of Parsi Colony (Dadar) came out, along with members of other associations, to protest against the hawking zones. The protestors walked for more than a km to make others and the authorities aware about their concerns. “They are randomly marking hawking patches near schools and an agiary. We are opposing it as footpaths are meant for walking, not for hawking,” said Mehernosh Fitter, All-Dadar East People’s Team Association.
AGNI & NAGAR, along with local residents’ associations, organized protests at seven places across the city. They stated that the BMC’s decision to accommodate more hawkers in peaceful areas will create a nuisance for locals and will change the city’s character forever.
Jennifer Shetty of AGNI stated that the protests were mainly to emphasize that BMC should project greater accountability in maintaining a balance between citizens’ needs, instead of tilting towards hawkers. She added that there was a need to redraft the guidelines to implement the Street Vendors’ Livelihood Act, 2014.
Nariman Point Churchgate Citizens’ Association (NPCCA) members organized a human chain outside Jawaharlal Nehru garden at Nariman Point, the reservation of which has changed from a recreational ground in the 1991 DP to commercial/residential in the draft DP 2034. The citizens’ association has accumulated around 3,500 objection letters and plans to submit them to the BMC this week. With banners and posters like ‘Return our garden’ and ‘Free our garden’, local residents and association members were on the streets, protesting against losing an open space in a prime area. Atul Kumar, vice-president of the citizens’ group, said that there was a great turnout, with senior citizens and even those in wheelchairs, besides children.
Andheri resident Vishwa Shah, along with residents of Sundervan Housing Society, protested against the proposed hawking zones off JP Road. She said, “We encourage business and livelihood but we would like that to happen in an organized manner. The protesters would like to also tell the government to encourage growth in the right direction.”
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