BMC clears illegal hawkers near Dadar station to restore pedestrian space

The BMC will carry out a survey of licensed hawkers, who have constructed concrete or semi-permanent structures on footpaths at Dadar Market, and the latter will be relocated nearby. ILLUSTRATION/UDAY MOHITE

After a crackdown on unauthorised hawkers to the west of Dadar station, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to ensure pedestrians are unimpeded on footpaths in the area.

Pic/Rane Ashish

Over the past two months, thousands of illegal vendors were removed by the licence department of the civic body from the pavements of Dadar so that pedestrians can reclaim them.

Shops will have a standardised shed/display so they do not protrude on the footpath

Freed-up arterial roads

1 NC Kelkar Road (From Dr Antonio Da Silva School to Plaza Cinema, upto Shiv Sena Bhavan)
2 Ranade Road (From Nakshatra Mall towards Shushrusha Hospital)
3 Bhavani Shankar Road (near Kabutarkhana Circle towards Prabhadevi railway station)

Licensed hawkers won't be moved from the Dadar Market, but they will be relocated to a single road in a cluster. ILLUSTRATIONS/UDAY MOHITE

Smaller lanes freed of encroachments

1. Dr Antonio Da Silva Road
2. Jawale Road
3. Chabildas Road
4. Vachanalay Road
5. Akshikar Road
(All spots are west of Dadar station)

A survey of licensed hawkers, who have constructed concrete or semi-permanent structures on the footpaths, will be carried out

When was the action against hawkers taken?

>> June and July, 2025 (5000+ unauthorised hawkers were removed)
>> It was stopped due to the festive season beginning with Ganeshotsav
>> It was restarted in January 2026

Eight underpasses leading to Dadar railway station will get bollards to foil encroachers

Mayor's Vision

Outlining her priorities during her address after being elected in February this year, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde highlighted prioritising pedestrians with better footpath infrastructure and removing unauthorised hawkers across the city.

Official Speak

‘Thousands of unauthorised hawkers have been removed. We will continue taking action. To take the concept of creating an uninterrupted walkway forward, we have planned a survey of licensed hawkers who have created permanent or semi-permanent structures on the footpath.

We will then figure out which is the nearest road where they can be moved in a cluster. Several shops that have protruding tin roofs or displays covering footpaths will be standardised in the next stage'

Vinayak Vispute, assistant commissioner, G North ward

January
Month civic body resumed taking action against hawkers