Hawking zones: You have 15 more days to file your objections with Mumbai civic body

The Jan 31 deadline to submit suggestions and objections was extended after councillors demanded that citizens be given more time

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday decided to give citizens 15 more days to object to the proposed hawking zones in the city.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday decided to give citizens 15 more days to object to the proposed hawking zones in the city.(HT File (Representational Image))

The January 31 deadline to send suggestions and objections was extended after councillors demanded that citizens be given more time.

The BMC received 1,600 e-mails and letters till January 30 and another 300 on January 31. Civic officials said they expect to receive more suggestions and objections over the fortnight.

According to Godfrey Pimenta, an activist from Andheri where the BMC plans to make most of the hawking zones, said, “The locations on the draft list on the BMC website are not precise. The BMC should at least put up notices at proposed hawking zones and councillors should tell citizens about them.”

After the February 15 deadline, the civic body will prepare a final list based on the suggestions and objections it received, before submitting it to the 20-member town vending committee for approval. Madhu Poplai of Pali Hill Residents’ Association said they will not send any more objections, as it is a futile exercise. “The BMC has drafted this list without planning. The extension was unnecessary.”

Deputy municipal commissioner (removal of encroachments), Nidhi Chaudhari, said even though the list was finalised, citizens can approach the civic body with grievances and appeals.

“The extension will unnecessarily delay the implementation of the policy,” she said.