KDMC Suspends 2 Staff Over Hawker Drive Failure

The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has suspended two civic employees for alleged negligence in enforcing the removal of illegal hawkers from the 'No Hawker Zone' around Dombivli railway station.

The suspended employees, Kamalakar Sonawane and Ravi Barve, are attached to the J Ward of KDMC.

The disciplinary action was initiated after repeated complaints that illegal hawkers continued to occupy footpaths and public spaces despite a sustained civic drive against encroachments.

The anti-hawker campaign was launched following increasing public grievances over obstruction of pedestrian movement and worsening traffic congestion caused by unauthorized vendors operating on roads and footpaths in and around Dombivli railway station.

Mayor Harshali Choudhary and Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goel had directed all assistant municipal commissioners across KDMC wards to ensure strict implementation of anti-hawker measures.

Ward offices subsequently deployed dedicated staff to monitor and remove illegal vendors from public spaces.

However, according to the civic administration, hawkers continued to operate in areas officially declared as 'No Hawker Zones', indicating lapses in enforcement by the field staff.

J Ward Assistant Municipal Commissioner Jayaram Shinde confirmed the action, saying the two employees were suspended for failing to effectively discharge their responsibilities despite specific instructions issued by the administration.

Shinde warned that similar disciplinary action would be taken against any civic employee found negligent or indifferent towards implementation of the anti-encroachment drive.

The civic administration reiterated that the anti-hawker drive would continue across railway station premises, footpaths, roads and other public spaces to ensure smooth pedestrian movement and reduce traffic congestion.

KDMC officials said sustained enforcement would be carried out to keep public areas encroachment-free and that regular monitoring would be undertaken to prevent illegal hawkers from reoccupying cleared locations.

The latest disciplinary action is being viewed as a strong message from the civic administration that accountability will be fixed not only on encroachers but also on officials and employees responsible for enforcing municipal regulations.

This move is expected to improve the overall civic environment in Dombivli and surrounding areas, making it more convenient for residents and commuters to navigate the region.

The KDMC's zero-tolerance approach towards negligence is a step in the right direction, and it remains to be seen how effective this strategy will be in maintaining public spaces free from encroachments.

For now, the suspension of the two employees serves as a warning to other civic staff to take their responsibilities seriously and enforce municipal regulations effectively.

The success of the anti-hawker drive will depend on the sustained efforts of the KDMC and its employees to prevent illegal vendors from operating in public spaces.

In the long run, this initiative is expected to contribute to a more organized and convenient civic environment in Dombivli and surrounding areas.