{
  "id": 8959675,
  "title": "Colaba Causeway, Kala Ghoda Residents Demand Inclusion In BMC's Pedestrian First Policy Over Hawker Encroachments",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/colaba-causeway-kala-ghoda-residents-demand-inclusion-in-bmcs",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T16:16:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/colaba-causeway-kala-ghoda-residents-demand-inclusion-in-bmcs-pedestrian-first-policy-over-hawker-encroachments"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai's Colaba Causeway and Kala Ghoda residents are demanding inclusion in the BMC's Pedestrian First policy due to severe hawker encroachments, according to a September 17 letter from Colaba's BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar. Both locations, renowned tourist destinations with heavy daily footfall, experience extreme encroachment, forcing pedestrians and tourists onto active roads, leading to traffic congestion and public safety hazards. The letter cites a Bombay High Court order to remove unauthorized hawkers, which the BMC has been slow to follow, with hawkers seemingly reappearing within hours after any action. CHCRA Vice President Pervez Cooper expressed shock that Colaba Causeway, an area with 500 hawkers, is not part of the Pedestrian First initiative, emphasizing the need for immediate action to reclaim the footpaths for pedestrians.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: In yet another example of friction between the BMC administration and elected representatives, BJP corporator from Colaba, Makarand Narwekar, has written to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide requesting the administration to actively consult and discuss with local corporators the selection of footpaths under the 'Pedestrian First' policy. Highlighting the ground reality in Colaba,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}