Colaba Causeway remains at the centre of an ugly battle for space between hawkers and shopkeepers and residents. The Colaba Merchants Association, comprising a group of shopkeepers along Colaba Causeway, had planned to stop illegal hawkers from squatting on the footpath outside their stores, obstructing customers and their show windows. The merchants had decided to put huge potted plants in front of their shops to both, beautify the footpath and displace these hawkers. Their plans came to naught after the BMC said they will not be allowed to put plants on the footpath.

The Colaba Causeway residents vs hawkers problem has been simmering for a while now. Repeatedly, we have seen residents at loggerheads with hawkers. There have been meetings between both parties.
Corporators have spoken out, promising to clear all encroachment. Sporadic drives have been held, only to find that the pavement has been encroached again.