BMC receives only 1,600 suggestions and objections on draft hawking pitches
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has received only 1,600 suggestion and objections on 85,895 draft hawking pitches from citizens, politicians, and other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) in the last one and half month’s time. According to civic officials, citizens have not replied, though the civic corporation created much awareness about the listed hawking pitches, which were made public.
Nidhi Choudhari, the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) of the Removal and Encroachment department of BMC remarked no more extension will be given, as enough time has been allotted. “Now whatever suggestions and objections been received those will be scrutinized by the civic officials. Also, as multiple suggestions and objections been received for same roads. Hence, after conducting personal visit wherever necessary, the Town Vending Committee(TVC) will be asked to drop the pitches on the basis of citizens objections raised,” added DMC Chaudhari.
The BMC asked citizens and other to give their suggestions and objections until January 31, 2018, thereafter another 15 days time been extended till February 15, 2018.
On the contrary, the citizen activist has slammed the civic corporation for arbitrarily putting the hawking pitches across Mumbai.
Nikhil Desai, a social activist and a resident of Matunga said in his area which comes under Lotrikar Marg, Matunga, the BMC has earmarked 57 hawking pitches while the road adjacent to it named Singhani road has 99 hawkers. “Lotrikar Road is a completely residential area, while Singhania Road has two big educational institutions-one is Indian Chemical Technology college (ICT) and the second is Don Bosco school. As per Bombay High Court guidelines, hawkers are not allowed near educational institutions, religious places etc. that means BMC is flouting the court guidelines. Therefore, until a proper hearing is not given by the civic officers no hawkers will be allowed over here,” added Desai.
He also stated how BMC can seek suggestions and objections from citizens when the TVC is not been formed. Merely on road name, the people have been asked to give their replies. No proper mechanism has been adopted.
The BMC asked citizens and others to give their suggestions and objections until January 31, and then extended the deadline to February 15. Citizen activists have slammed the civic corporation for arbitrarily putting the hawking pitches across Mumbai.