Colaba residents seek legal action against hawkers' presence

Residents of Colaba have filed a plea in the Bombay High Court to address issues caused by hawkers in their area. They are concerned about safety, cleanliness, and the legality of hawkers occupying public spaces. The Clean Heritage Colaba Residents’ Association (CHCRA) submitted their plea on Thursday. They want to join an ongoing case involving the Colaba Causeway Tourism Hawkers Stall Union (CCTHSU). The residents believe the court's decision will significantly affect their lives. This plea comes after a Supreme Court ruling that temporarily halted the eviction of hawkers by the local municipal corporation. The stay order was issued after the hawkers challenged a previous decision that had rejected their request for protection until a relevant law is implemented. The residents argue that illegal hawking activities violate their right to a clean and safe environment, as protected by the Constitution. They point out that while hawkers have certain rights, these should not impair the public’s ability to use public spaces freely. The plea highlights various problems associated with hawking. It says hawkers block pavements, which is especially difficult for seniors and those with disabilities. They also raise security concerns and contribute to traffic congestion. Moreover, vendors are accused of operating in areas where street vending is not allowed and of using fake licenses. Residents noticed that hawkers often set up permanent structures on pavements, which breaks the law. They also exceed permitted operating hours and sell goods near restricted zones, like schools and religious sites. Additionally, many food vendors lack the necessary hygiene standards. The plea states that constant encroachment by hawkers forces pedestrians into busy streets, putting them at risk of accidents. Despite multiple complaints to authorities about this hawker issue, the situation has worsened, according to the residents. They are urging the court to affirm the public’s right to clean and safe public spaces and to state that hawking is not acceptable where it threatens public welfare. The case will be heard again on Friday.