Hawkers Encroach On Road Outside Borivali West Station, Residents Flag Pedestrian Safety Concerns
Mumbai: In yet another matter of encroachment in Borivali West, the road outside the railway station, locally known as Bhaji Market Gully remains heavily encroached by hawkers, leaving hardly any space for pedestrians. Local residents say, presently, the road sees firecrackers sellers as well as, creating a potential safety and security issue. They also claim that the completly encroched, has…
Mumbai's Borivali West area is grappling with a growing encroachment issue outside the railway station, known locally as Bhaji Market Gully. This road, once bustling with pedestrian activity, is now heavily cluttered with hawkers, leaving little room for residents to walk safely. Local residents have raised serious concerns about the lack of space for pedestrians, stating that the encroachment has become a significant safety and security issue.
The Best (Borivali East Local Railway Station) has been forced to divert its services over the past few years due to this encroachment.
The Borivali Encroachments Under Scrutiny issue has gained attention following the Supreme Court's intervention. In a related development last year, the BMC took action to clear unauthorized hawkers from the road, but the problem quickly resurfaced. Assistant Municipal Commissioner Praful Tambe of the R-Central ward explained that the road is home to a BMC vegetable market undergoing redevelopment.
However, ongoing loading and unloading of trucks from vegetable market trucks has added to the congestion in the area. Despite holding meetings with the local MLA and the hawkers union, the illegal stalls have continued to occupy the public road.
Concerns have been raised about the selling of firecrackers in congested areas, which can pose a significant risk to public safety. Regular actions are taken against such stalls, but the hawkers have found ways to resume their business gradually. Purva Gharge, a resident of Borivali, noted that even the skywalk from the railway station becomes inundated with unauthorized hawkers during festivals, coupled with the road beneath, leaving no space for commuters.
The BMC is actively working on resolving these issues, but the encroachment problem remains a persistent challenge in Borivali West.
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