BMC to cancel licences of 51 shopkeepers at Mumbai’s famous Fashion Street

Officials said action will be initiated under section 313 (B) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (MMC) Act, 1888, which allows the BMC to revoke licences for violation of the norms. Once the notice is served, shopkeepers will have to vacate the space in 24 hours

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to cancel licences of 51 shop owners at south Mumbai’s famous Fashion Street for violating norms, said senior civic officials. Located on MG Road, opposite Bombay Gymkhana, Fashion Street comprises 394 shops.

Officials from A ward said the decision to revoke licences was taken after the shop owners refused to abide by the norms despite being issued notices time and again. (Representation pic)

Officials from A ward said the decision was taken after the shop owners refused to abide by the norms despite being issued notices time and again. An officer added that the shop owners ignored a 24-hour deadline to correct the violations in a show-cause notice issued in January. Also, the shop owners never stay within the 1x1 metre space alloted to them.

They said the shop owners have violated three norms: first - the person in whose name the licence has been issued is never at the spot, second - the bamboo scaffolding and iron rods put up by the vendors restrict pedestrian movement on MG Road and third - vendors sell different commodities than what they have been licenced for.

A senior official said, “We have filed two infringement reports and had sent several reminders to the shopkeepers to correct the violations. Since they continue to encroach upon public space, we have decided to cancel their licences.”

Mahendra Hemdev, a Marine Drive resident, said, “It is a good move, as it will force the vendors to fall in line. At place such as the Churchgate subway, hawkers have left very little place for pedestrians.”

Pedestrian first

The BMC recently finalised a ‘Pedestrian First’ policy for the city’s shrinking footpaths. One of the important features is the bifurcation of footpaths into three different categories — the major portion for pedestrians, followed by the furniture zone for utilities, fire hydrants, metre boxes, stalls and so on and the dead zone, which will include entry/exits or steps for establishments.