Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde targets illegal hawkers and other civic issues

Ritu Tawde vows to reclaim Mumbai footpaths, verify hawker documents, and improve public spaces for women and seniors. Monsoon preparedness and hospital upgrades are also on her agenda

Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde announces hawking zones and footpath reforms in Mumbai

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde felicitate Mayor Ritu Tawde

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Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde announces hawking zones and footpath reforms in Mumbai

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Mumbai’s newly elected Mayor Ritu Tawde, a BJP corporator, said removing illegal Bangladeshi hawkers from footpaths will be among her priorities, stating that public spaces must be reclaimed for tax-paying citizens, senior citizens and women. She said the issue will be raised in her first meeting with the civic administration, and officials will be directed to act against those operating without valid documents.

Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi (third from left in right frame) at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters

“We will create hawking and non-hawking zones across the city. There will be signage indicating non-hawking zones. Places will be found for hawkers who have valid papers. My letters have gone to the departments concerned to pay attention to the issue. Regarding the illegal Bangladeshi hawkers, I am going to ensure we take strict action against them,” she added.

“The state government has been doing this work. We are visiting areas. When we ask for an ID card or an Aadhaar card, we realise that the cards are fake.” Tawde said an enquiry has begun in the N ward. “Officials have been notified, as most cases has been found in the area. Everything will be checked,” she added.

Teen sawaal with the mayor

After her first address to the 227-member general body, the mayor outlined her priorities, including footpaths, health infrastructure, and active field presence. She described Mumbai as cosmopolitan and inclusive, while identifying herself as a Marathi mayor. “My electoral ward, 132, has a demographic dominated by Gujarati-speaking citizens. Yet they came out in large numbers and voted for me, a Marathi-speaking woman. This has always been the spirit of Mumbai.”

Mayor Ritu Tawde of BJP with Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi of Shiv Sena at the BMC. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

Do you have a 100-day plan like the chief minister?
I will meet with all the officers concerned with the civic administration and take periodic reviews. Health and education are my top priorities. I want to ensure that the Rajawadi Hospital is upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility, and can be compared to AIIMS in Delhi. Safeguarding the issues of the Marathi manoos is also my priority. To restart Marathi schools that are closing down, we will rope in the CBSE Board as well.

How will you work with a strong Opposition?
The way they behaved in the House today [Wednesday] shows their sensitivity towards women. But instead of operating the House, they are more concerned about creating chaos. My topic was for Mumbai, and I expected them to listen calmly. But their focus was on how to stop the mayor from speaking. However, I completed my speech respectfully. Every ward is 40,000 to 60,000 people. Citizens have stood in line for four to five hours and elected them. Citizens have shown faith in elected representatives. The Opposition should consider how they want to be viewed by their electorate. As the mayor of Mumbai, I aim to ensure I preside over the house in a neutral way, without causing and tolerating commotion, respecting the Opposition and considering their views as well.

What work will BMC undertake for monsoon preparedness?
I have taken charge today; you will see that I am on the field tomorrow. Apart from my mayoral duties in the general body and in the BMC headquarters, I am committed to doing my duty as an elected representative of the people of my constituency. I want to focus on hospitals, conduct surprise visits and ensure all facilities are in place. Also, there are no footpaths in several parts of the suburbs, causing a lot of problems for senior citizens. This will remain another focus area.