The footpaths of Bandra’s Hill Road are back to being difficult to navigate, weeks after the BMC’s H West ward began acting against hawkers following complaints from residents. The ward had inspected the market on August 19, demolished stalls at two locations and served notices to vendors and other parties. Residents now say the initial action has lost momentum, with vendors again occupying footpaths and spilling onto the road.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner Dinesh Pallewad said the BMC plans another drive after the Mount Mary fair and Ganpati festival.  “We are currently managing the area as the Mount Mary Fair and the Ganpati festival are happening at the same time. We understand the frustration of the locals who feel that their footpaths are being rendered useless for pedestrians as the vendors are completely blocking them, but we are planning a drive in the area post the fair and the festival, to make sure that the footpaths are accessible for everyone again.”