“Many hawkers used to come from different parts of the city and also from the fringe
areas. The hawkers occupied spaces along roads which resulted in
traffic problems. So the administration decided to find a solution,
which would benefit the hawkers and solve traffic problems,” said
Dattatray Langhe, encroachment inspector.

Langhe said the civic administration has planned to resettle the hawkers near their houses.

The hawkers, who were removed during the anti-hawkers’ drive, will
benefit from this scheme. Only those hawkers who have a valid licence
will be entitled to the scheme.

“The hawkers will have to face
lesser competition in their respective areas as compared to busy market
areas on the main roads. Even the transportation costs and other
expenses will be reduced,” Langhe said, adding, “The civic
administration has communicated the scheme to the ward offices. The
hawkers will have to approach the ward offices in their areas to avail
of the scheme.”

Langhe said locals had complained about the
menace of hawkers in different areas of the city. These areas get
overburdened with the hawkers.

“It not only causes traffic
problems but is also a security risk. The police department too has
written us letters to take action to reduce the number of hawkers to
avoid traffic congestion on key roads,” he added.

Nearly 350
stalls were removed in the recently conducted anti-encroachment drive.
There are around 7,500 licensed stall owners in the city. The PMC
stopped allotment of licenses from 1997. All those who started doing
business after 1997 are doing so illegally. The municipal corporation
has recently started a drive to remove hawkers and encroachments from
busy roads to reduce traffic problems.