20 August,2026 07:23 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Hill Road on Wednesday evening. Pic/Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Bandra's Hill Road could see its hawker and encroachment problem cleared within 15 days, with the BMC's H West ward identifying footpath encroachments and societies allowing hawkers to operate from their premises for action.
The assurance came after Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Pallewad inspected the stretch on Wednesday, a day after ALM 74 chairman Rohinton Polishwala wrote to the municipal commissioner seeking action against alleged illegal hawking and encroachments.
BMC officials conduct an inspection in the area. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Pallewad told mid-day that notices would be issued to those encroaching on footpaths as well as societies allowing hawkers to operate from their premises. "In the coming 15 days, we will remove the encroachment from the area," said Pallewad.
BMC officials conduct an inspection in the area. Pics/By Special Arrangement
>> Hawkers allegedly occupying stretches of Hill Road
>> Vendors entering or setting up near building premises
>> Litter left behind after trading activity
>> Encroachment of road space
>> Residents facing difficulty accessing buildings
Hill Road has long been a major shopping stretch, attracting large crowds and vendors. Residents living along the road and in adjoining lanes, however, say the scale of hawking has made the area increasingly difficult to navigate.
Polishwala said he emailed the municipal commissioner at around 4.30 pm on Tuesday. The following morning, Pallewad and ward officials visited the area.
"I got a call this morning, and it was the ward personnel, asking me if I could show them the area and its problems. I went with them and took a walk along the whole lane of the Hill Road market, pointing out all the issues that are there in the area." Polishwala said Pallewad also gave instructions to ward staff during the inspection.
Assistant Commissioner Dinesh Pallewad, replying to mid-day's query, said, "Today [Wednesday] we inspected the site, and have identified those who need to be served notice for encroachment of the footpath, and even societies which are allowing the hawkers to set up shop in their premises will be sent notices. In the coming 15 days, we will remove the encroachment from the area."
Rohinton Polishwala, chairman, ALM 74, said residents had repeatedly raised the issue with BMC. "For years now, I have been speaking up against this, and have had fights with the hawkers at Hill Road. Recently, the hawkers have even started to move into buildings and have set up shops in some of their parking areas or by the gates." Polishwala said the BMC had earlier told residents that action would be taken against buildings allowing shops to operate on their premises, but claimed there had been no visible change.
