Colaba hawkers return in 48 hrs

Number of vendors has increased from 76 to 186 thanks to civic body's indifference and police corruption, claim residents

- Linah Baliga

MUMBAI: Twenty-four hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, the hawkers of Colaba Causeway, who were driven out by the BMC on Tuesday, have returned in full force much to the frustration of local residents.

"The BMC only takes swift action to remove hawkers during visits by the PM or other central ministers," said a resident. Notably, Colaba Causeway is included in a list of 20 locations submitted by the civic body to the Bombay high court where hawker removal is being considered.