Mumbai: Bandra Hill Road encroachments return four days after BMC demolition drive

Several encroachments that were removed were seen again on Sunday. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

The stalls that were illegally encroaching on the footpath of Hill Road market in Bandra East have come up again, just four days after the BMC H West ward demolished them on August 20. The action against the encroachment came after the chairman of the ALM (Advanced Locality Management) 74 committee wrote to the municipal commissioner, requesting action against the hawkers and vendors along Hill Road, who had started setting up stalls in some of the societies' premises. mid-day contacted the H West ward for an update on the next course of action but did not receive a response by press time.

Encroachment on the footpath along Hill Road market. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Facing backlash

On Sunday, Polishwala had to cover his face and go out to take pictures of the road because he faces harsh words from the vendors. "They don't like me and think that I am ruining their work. So I wore my helmet and went on my bike, because without that they sometimes come onto me in anger," he said.

BMC action

Apart from demolishing two stalls on the market road, H West ward officials also said that they have issued notices to other vendors who are encroaching on the footpath, and have given them a period of 15 days to rectify the issue.

Back again

While local residents were initially very happy with the BMC response, on Sunday, it was seen that the encroachment returned to usual levels. Vendors running shops that were demolished were seen setting up their stalls again.

Local Speak

Rohinton Polishwala, chairman, ALM 74
‘It is as if the work that the BMC did was never carried out, because the shops and all are back again, with them encroaching on the footpaths freely. On Sundays, or any weekends, the market sees very heavy footfall, and with that, if the footpaths are blocked, how do we even manage the traffic? The residents of this area are tired of it.'