Bandra Fair 2026: 150 stalls vacant as vendors cite poor returns and Ganpati commitments

The Mount Mary Church during the Bandra fair. File Pic/Atul Kamble

The Bandra fair may draw its usual crowds when it begins on September 13, but the same enthusiasm is missing from its stalls. As many as 150 of the 430 BMC pitches remain vacant this year, including around 100 reserved for local residents, according to civic officials. The weak response is particularly visible among the 20 premium pitches closest to Mount Mary Church.

The Mount Mary Church during the Bandra fair. File Pic/Atul Kamble

Only five have been taken, compared with the usual 10 to 12 occupied each year, the BMC said. Locals and civic officials attribute the poor response to falling profitability, redevelopment in the area and the fair coinciding with the Ganpati festival.

Why the stalls are going empty

Poor returns: Local vendors told the BMC that running a stall for the duration of the fair is no longer financially attractive.

Redevelopment: Maria Dsouza, a member of the area ALM, said redevelopment along Kane Road has led several local families to move away.

Ganpati clash: A BMC official said the fair coinciding with Ganpati this year has also affected participation, with some traditional vendors having commitments elsewhere.

Official Speak

A civic official overseeing the process said BMC held multiple rounds of auctions to maximise occupancy.

"BMC conducted multiple rounds of auctions to maximise the utility of these stalls. The final auction was conducted on Thursday, and 150 stalls are still vacant."

The official said the five occupied premium pitches were also significantly below the usual 10 to 12.

"One family who takes stalls for pitches every year was not available this year, hence the number dropped even further."

Voice of residents

Maria Dsouza, member of the local ALM, said the poor response should not be mistaken for declining interest in the fair.

"We have already anticipated this. It is not because the festival is losing its popularity. The church still sees the same number of devotees pour in as every year."

She said changing economics was making the stalls less attractive to younger residents.

Stalls set up along Mount Mary Road during the Bandra fair last year. File Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

"The older generations used to operate the stalls. Now, I've been told the newer generations are in jobs where they would earn more in a single day than what the stalls would help them earn during the entire duration of the festival."

Dsouza also pointed to the area's redevelopment as another factor.

"Kane Road has also noticed a lot of redevelopment, and several buildings are under construction now. The local families have moved away from the area."

Where are the stalls?

280
Mount Mary Road and Kane Road - mainly candles and religious offerings

50
Rebello Road - toys and clothes

100
St John Baptist Road - toys and clothes

BMC is auctioning 180 stalls, while 250 are reserved for locals at nominal rents. The first 20, closest to the church, carry a base price of Rs 1.42 lakh each.

Total BMC stalls 430
Vacant this year 150
Vacant pitches reserved for locals Around 100
Premium pitches near church 20
Premium pitches taken 5
Usual premium pitches taken 10-12
Fair dates September 13-20C