To whom do the Mumbai streets belong?

Mumbai’s vibrant streetscape thrives on a delicate balance. While the Bombay High Court’s recent order to remove unlicensed vendors highlights the ongoing tension, it’s crucial to recognize these vendors’ vital role in the city’s social fabric.

For many Mumbaikars, particularly those struggling financially, street vendors are a lifeline. According to studies, their affordable and delicious food keeps at least 30 percent of the city’s workforce fueled. But beyond sustenance, they add a unique charm to Mumbai’s bustling streets, a testament to the city’s diverse offerings.

This very vibrancy, therefore, becomes a double-edged sword. While street vendors pose a problem to public transport with their illegal squatting leading to frequent conflicts, a complete ban isn’t the answer. The eviction tactics employed – justified under various laws but often violating vendors’ right to work – raise ethical concerns. Authorities often view street vendors as an obstruction, leading to frequent conflicts. The BMC has been acting against street vendors under Section 314(c) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, which empowers it to “remove without notice anything erected, deposited or hawked” without a licence or in a way that obstructs pedestrians or traffic. Evictions are also carried out under Sections 67 and 102 of the Bombay Police Act, which authorize detention or removal of anyone obstructing the flow of traffic, and as part of city beautification projects. These raise ethical concerns against the street vendors.

After constant protests by the National Association of Street Vendors in India (NASVI) and the Mumbai Hawkers Union against the State of Maharashtra, BMC formulated a scheme for the licensing of hawkers in Greater Mumbai by creating hawking and non-hawking zones, overseen by Town Vending Committees (TVCs). The TVCs are a board of nominated and elected street vendors, police officers, and local government representatives. However, the scheme is riddled with flaws. The limited number of licenses available leaves a vast majority of vendors vulnerable. The licensing process itself is cumbersome, and delays in issuance further disadvantage vendors. Additionally, the crucial Town Vending Committees, meant to oversee the scheme, haven’t been established effectively in most areas.

The consequence? Street vendors operate in constant fear of eviction, forced to pay bribes to local authorities for a semblance of security. This precarious existence excludes them from social welfare programs, such as PM SVANidhi, designed to support them. The PM Street Vendor AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) empowers street vendors by not only extending capital loans but also for their holistic development and economic upliftment. The irony is that the very system meant to regulate them fosters a predatory environment, where bribes take precedence over genuine efforts to integrate vendors into the city’s plan.

This harsh reality underscores a deeper question: to whom do Mumbai’s streets truly belong? The answer lies in recognizing the city’s strength – its public spaces brimming with diverse uses. Street vendors are not a nuisance to be removed, but an integral part of this rich tapestry. Their presence not only fulfills a basic need but also injects a cultural energy that defines Mumbai.
Moving forward, Mumbai must embrace its multifaceted character. Finding a way to accommodate street vendors, while ensuring smooth pedestrian and traffic flow, is key.

It can be through infrastructural developments, like the Saiyadapura Market in Surat, for whom the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) provided a platform and has constructed a semi-permanent tin roof-top for the meat and vegetable sellers. Or it could be based on the time-sharing of space systems like the rotating Bitten market of Bhopal, which operates for 3 days a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. On other days, vendors sell elsewhere in the town. Streamlining the licensing process, ensuring timely issuance, and expanding the number of licenses are crucial first steps. More importantly, the formation of Town Vending Committees with strong vendor representation is essential for fair and transparent regulation.

Mumbai’s streets are a melting pot, and its future prosperity hinges on recognizing this very quality. By integrating street vendors into the city’s plan, Mumbai can not only ensure a vibrant public space but also empower a significant segment of its workforce, truly living up to its reputation as a city for everyone.