Byculla Residents Cheer Hawker Removal

On Sunday morning, hundreds of residents from Agripada and Byculla gathered near Jhula Maidan to celebrate the successful campaign to remove unauthorised hawkers and curb the alleged drug trade in the area. The campaign was a joint effort by citizens, the police, and civic authorities.

The gathering was organised by the Byculla Mumbai Residents Association (BMRA) in association with St Andrew's Marathi Church and Welfare Centre. Residents claimed that the locality had witnessed a significant improvement following the removal of hawkers and sustained action against the alleged drug menace. Saeed Moosa, vice-president of the BMRA, alleged that drug peddlers had operated under the cover of hawkers.

According to Moosa, the removal of hawkers has improved surveillance in the area, making it easier to identify drug dealers. He claimed that around 70% of the hawkers have been removed from the area. Waqar Khan, a corporator from the area, said that the presence of hawkers had made the streets chaotic and congested, providing cover for drug peddlers.

The drive against hawkers was intensified after a Bombay High Court order. Corporator Amrin Shehzad Abrahani said that residents had approached them, complaining that hawkers were blocking routes to schools. She also mentioned that one major drug supplier had been arrested recently. Residents said that the drive had made the area cleaner and more hygienic, while easing congestion around public spaces.

Advocate Cyril Dara, secretary of the BMRA, said that churchgoers had frequently faced difficulties accessing the church due to encroachments by hawkers. He claimed that there were at least 400 to 500 hawkers on Morland Road, Maulana Azad Road, and Meghraj Sethi Road, but the roads are now clear for vehicles and pedestrians.

The Senior Police Inspector of Agripada Police Station, Narayan Padwal, was unavailable for comment. However, his predecessor, Sanjay Nale, had earlier stated that the police had registered around 150 cases of drug consumption during a 10-month period beginning in January 2025, an average of one case every two days.

The removal of hawkers and the sustained action against the alleged drug menace have brought a sense of relief to the residents of Byculla. The campaign is a significant step towards making the area safer and more hygienic. The success of this campaign can be seen as a model for other areas in Mumbai to follow, in order to tackle the issues of unauthorised hawkers and drug menace.

The joint effort by citizens, the police, and civic authorities has shown that collective action can lead to positive change in the community. The residents of Byculla are hopeful that the area will continue to improve and become a better place to live.

In the context of Mumbai, the issue of unauthorised hawkers and drug menace is a significant concern. The city has been struggling to tackle these issues, and the success of the campaign in Byculla can be seen as a step in the right direction. The campaign has also highlighted the importance of collective action and the need for citizens, the police, and civic authorities to work together to address these issues.

The removal of hawkers and the sustained action against the alleged drug menace have also had a positive impact on the local economy. The area is now more attractive to visitors and residents, which can lead to an increase in business and economic activity. The campaign has also shown that the city can be made safer and more hygienic, which is essential for the well-being of its residents.

In conclusion, the campaign to remove unauthorised hawkers and curb the alleged drug menace in Byculla has been a significant success. The joint effort by citizens, the police, and civic authorities has brought a sense of relief to the residents and has made the area safer and more hygienic. The success of this campaign can be seen as a model for other areas in Mumbai to follow, and it highlights the importance of collective action in addressing the issues that affect the community.