MCGM launches special drive against illegal hawkers

Civic authorities today seized wares and goods of illegal hawkers in various wards here and also filed cases against security guards who were found sheltering them in housing societies during the special drive.
A team headed by Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Zone 1) Suhas Karvande conducted the drive in A-ward of the city during which they seized various goods and carts of illegal vendors total running into six trucks.
"Our team conducted special drive in the surroundings of Fashion Street (in South Mumbai) where we found hangers encroaching on the footpath. Beside, most of the vendors were found placing their hand-carts haphazardly on the roads and we seized six carts," said a senior officer.

Fashion Street is one of the most popular tourist destinations for shopping in the mega city.
"Moreover, our team acted against hawkers near Bombay Hospital, who noticing our team took shelter into nearby buildings with the cooperation of security guards there. Our team booked these guards for sheltering illegal hawkers. We also sought the police's intervention to book owners of security services who recruit guards," the officer said.
A total of 30 policemen besides 50 civic employees and officers took part in the special drive.
According to a report released by the civic body, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MGCM) has taken action against over 1.12 lakh illegal food vendors/hawkers in 24 civic wards in the last six months.

From April to September, MGCM teams acted against 1,12,651 illegal hawkers/food vendors in the city collecting total fine of Rs 2,03,55,344 from them.