28 October,2026 08:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Samiullah Khan
Members of the Azad Hawkers Union take out a protest march against ward officials for not allowing licenced vendors to run their businesses. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Around 300 street vendors who have been recognised as authorised vendors by the government and issued QR codes to set up stalls have alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police are preventing them from carrying out their businesses in the R South ward of Borivali.
Protesting against the alleged harassment and denial of their right to earn a living, members of the Azad Hawkers Union staged a protest outside the R South ward office in Borivli on Monday. The vendors later marched to the Kandivli ward office to meet the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) and seek intervention.
"There is a court order prohibiting hawking within 150 metres of railway stations and 20 designated places. We cannot allow them to set up stalls in these areas. However, if they want to operate outside the restricted zones, their requests can be considered," said Deputy Municipal Commissioner Manish Valanju.
On the allegations that BMC and police were stopping vendors from setting up stalls outside restricted areas, the DMC said, "I will have to hold a coordination meeting with the DCP to discuss the issue and see what can be done."
During their march, the union representatives first approached the R South ward officer to seek permission to operate in accordance with the court directions. However, they allegedly did not get a satisfactory response and were told that senior officials would have to clarify the matter. The vendors then approached the DMC at the Kandivli ward office, who acknowledged the court directions and assured them that written instructions would be issued to the ward office to allow QR code-holding vendors to operate.
The vendors cited court orders that they claim permit authorised hawkers to operate in designated areas, provided they remain at least 150 metres away from railway stations and do not set up stalls on 20 roads where vending is prohibited.
The union alleged that while the licenced hawkers were being prevented from setting up stalls, unregistered hawkers continued to operate freely. "There are vendors who do not even have QR codes issued by the government, yet they appear to be operating without fear. Who is protecting them, and why are they being allowed to conduct business? This requires a thorough investigation," said a vendor.
The union further stated that they would approach the BMC municipal commissioner's office with their families and intensify their protest. The vendors are seeking written directions to ensure that authorised QR code holders are allowed to operate in permitted areas in accordance with the applicable court orders.
Speaking to mid-day, Azad Hawkers Union General Secretary Jai Shankar Dayashankar Singh alleged that authorised vendors holding government-issued QR codes were being allowed to operate in other parts of Mumbai, while the situation in Borivali's R South ward appeared to be different. "Across Mumbai, vendors who have received QR codes are being allowed to set up their stalls, but not in the R South ward. Why is the local administration preventing authorised hawkers from earning their livelihood?" Singh said.
