Hawkers Impeding Right to Safe Environment: Plea

Plea Highlights Unlawful Practices Like Subletting Stalls, Using Fake Licenses, Operating Beyond Permitted Hours

- Linah Baliga

MUMBAI: Residents of Colaba on Thursday submitted an intervention plea in the Bombay High Court, seeking to be added as a party in an ongoing writ petition involving the Colaba Causeway Tourism Hawkers Stall Union (CCTHSU). The plea, filed by the Clean Heritage Colaba Residents' Association (CHCRA), emphasized that the outcome of the case would significantly impact the area's residents.

HT had reported on February 7 about the CHCRA's intention to file an intervention plea after the Supreme Court suspended the hawkers' eviction by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

The stay order on the eviction was granted on January 27 after the Colaba Causeway Tourism Hawkers Stall Union approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's decision in December to dismiss its writ petition seeking protection from eviction until the Street Vendors Act, 2014, is implemented.

On March 3, the Supreme Court had remanded the case back to the High Court, instructing it to resolve the matter. It also extended the stay order on the hawkers' presence on Colaba Causeway for another three months.