Hawkers demand alternative space

THANE: The hawkers at Jambali Naka market have, on Saturday, demanded that the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) provide them with an alternative space since they have been doing business here for more than three decades.

TMC has been razing hawkers from the station and market areas since the last five days. However, they still keep coming back. Meanwhile, TMC officials stood firm on their decision that hawkers can stay in areas that are designated for them and not encroach on public spaces.

Irked on being ousted repeatedly, all the hawkers gathered around the civic officials and requested for a way out.

“They are on the streets illegally, so we cannot provide them with any alternative. We are not removing them from any designated space. Hence, we cannot take their responsibility. Around 20 such hawkers gathered around us on Saturday, requesting an alternative space but we cannot do anything about it,” said a senior civic officer from TMC.

“We have kept designated hawker zones in the city. Hawkers in such areas are not asked to go out. Only those who are encroaching public spaces and an inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists are asked to go,” said Sandeep Malvi, additional municipal commissioner, TMC.

Meanwhile, hawkers at Jambali Naka claim that they have been at this spot for more than three decades. “During most of the lockdown period, with very few people stepping out to purchase, we could not earn a living for months together. Now, as we are trying to pick the broken pieces and bring life back to normal, we are asked to move out. This is unfair,” said Abha Yadav, 48, a vegetable seller.

Hawkers surround TMC officials (left) at Jambali Naka market road in Thane on Saturday.