Borivali hawkers with QR codes say BMC and police are not letting them trade in R South ward

About 300 hawkers in Borivali, Mumbai, who hold government recognition and QR codes, have alleged that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police are not allowing them to do business in the R South ward area. The hawkers say they have an authorised right to set up stalls, yet they are being stopped.

Members of the Azad Hawkers Union protested outside the R South ward office in Borivali on Monday. They alleged that they are being harassed and that their right to earn a livelihood is being taken away. After the protest, the hawkers marched to the Kandivali ward office to meet the Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DMC) and seek intervention.

During the march, union representatives first approached the R South ward officer and asked for permission to trade in line with court directions. They allege they did not get a satisfactory reply and were told that only senior officials could clarify the matter. The hawkers then met the DMC at the Kandivali ward office. The DMC acknowledged the court directions and assured them that written instructions would be issued to the ward office so that QR code holders could carry on their work.

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Manish Valanju said: "There is a court order barring hawking within 150 metres of railway stations and at 20 designated places. We cannot allow them to set up stalls in these areas. But if they want to work outside the prohibited areas, their applications can be considered."

Asked about the allegation that the BMC and police are not letting hawkers set up stalls even outside the prohibited areas, the DMC said: "I will have to hold a coordination meeting with the DCP to discuss this issue and see what can be done."

The hawkers claim the court orders they cited allow authorised hawkers to work in designated areas, provided they stay at least 150 metres away from railway stations and do not set up stalls on the 20 roads where hawking is prohibited.

The union also alleged that licensed hawkers are being stopped from setting up stalls while unregistered hawkers openly do business. One hawker said: "There are hawkers who do not even have a government-issued QR code, yet they are seen doing business fearlessly. Who is protecting them, and why are they being allowed to trade? There should be a thorough inquiry."

The union has said it will go with their families to the office of the BMC's Municipal Commissioner and intensify the agitation. The hawkers want written instructions so that authorised QR code holders are allowed to work in the designated areas in line with the court orders in force.

Jai Shankar Dayashankar Singh, general secretary of the Azad Hawkers Union, alleged that authorised hawkers with government QR codes are being allowed to work in other parts of Mumbai, while the situation in Borivali's R South ward appears different. Singh said: "Hawkers who have received QR codes across Mumbai are being allowed to set up stalls, but not in R South ward. Why is the local administration stopping authorised hawkers from earning a living?"