Mumbai civic body targets 20 hawker hotspots, plans QR codes for licensed vendors

Hawkers in Dadar last month. PIC/SHADAB KHAN

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has identified 20 high-footfall locations across the city for focused action against unauthorised hawkers, as part of a renewed push to keep key stretches encroachment-free. The move comes alongside plans to introduce QR code identification for licensed hawkers and stricter enforcement in areas with persistent violations and low compliance.

At a glance

Action focus: 20 hawker-prone locations
Objective: Keep key footpaths hawker-free
Enforcement: Daily eviction drives with police support
Tech measure: QR codes for licensed hawkers
Total licensed hawkers: ~12,567

Why these 20 locations
>>High pedestrian movement
>>Persistent unauthorised hawking
>>Low presence of licensed vendors

Licensed hawkers ward-wise snapshot
Highest: P South (912), P North (845), H West (721)
Mid-range: K East (689), K West (655), C (656)
Lower: F North (152), F South (198), M East (215)

List of identified hotspots
South Mumbai (A ward)
>>CSMT to Court
>>Churchgate, Bombay High Court
>>CSMT subway

Central and western suburbs
>>Dadar station (east and west) - G/N
>>Bandra station (east - H/E, west - H/W)
>>Linking Road, Bandra - H/W
>>Andheri (east -K/E, west - K/W)

Western suburbs
>>Malad station (west) - P/N
>>SV Road - P/S
>>Bharucha Road - R/N

Eastern suburbs and beyond
>>Mulund check naka - T
>>Thane Road - T
>>Khar station - H/W
>>Tilak Nagar station (east and west) - L
>>Chembur station - M/E
>>LBS Road - Sqw

Background
The 20 locations were finalised in a June 2024 meeting chaired by then municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani
Instructions issued to keep these areas consistently hawker-free

What is the plan

>>Regular eviction drives at identified hotspots
>>Joint action by BMC and Mumbai Police
>>Daily reporting by the civic licence department

Two enforcement shifts:
Morning: 8 am to 4 pm
Evening: 3 pm to 11 pm

What the mayor said

Mayor Ritu Tawde said the administration will create clear hawking and non-hawking zones across the city.

"We will create hawking and non-hawking zones. There will be signage to indicate non-hawking zones. Specific places will be identified for licensed hawkers. My letters have gone to the departments concerned to pay attention to the issue," she said.

What officials said

A senior civic official said:
>>"All licensed hawkers will be issued QR codes by April-end."
>> "Stricter action will be taken at the 20 identified spots."
>> "Flying squads are already taking action every day."

QR code system

All licensed hawkers to get QR codes by April-end
Total expected: 10,500

Purpose:
>>Easy identification
>>Prevent misuse of licences
>>Improve monitoring

Future allocation
Hawkers who have applied to be assigned pitches within one year
Estimated beneficiaries: 22,000
Based on the town vending committee recommendations

Licensed hawkers distribution
Island city: 3633
Western suburbs: 6132
Eastern suburbs: 2802