After two clashes in a single day, the BMC launched a major anti-encroachment drive in Mulund, clearing 50 illegal stalls to restore pedestrian pathways and ease congestion

Mumbai witnessed another dramatic day of civic action as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted a large-scale anti-encroachment operation in Mulund, removing nearly 50 illegal stalls within a span of a few hours. The crackdown came after two tense clashes earlier in the day between stall owners and BMC officials, raising concerns about public safety, urban congestion, and the growing challenge of regulating illegal commercial activity in the city’s bustling suburbs.

According to officials, the operation was part of a larger initiative aimed at reclaiming public footpaths and ensuring pedestrian safety in Mulund—one of the city’s fastest-developing and most densely populated suburbs. While routine anti-encroachment drives are not new, the intensity of today’s confrontation and the scale of the cleanup have drawn widespread attention from residents, activists, and political observers.

This article takes a detailed look at what transpired in Mulund, the motivations behind the operation, the response from locals and vendors, and the broader implications for urban governance in Mumbai.

A Day Marked by Confrontation

The day began with what should have been a standard anti-encroachment survey. However, tensions quickly escalated when a group of stall owners resisted the BMC’s attempts to inspect their setups. According to witnesses present near Mulund East station, a verbal argument between civic workers and a few vendors turned heated, drawing a crowd and causing momentary disruption to pedestrian movement.

By noon, a second confrontation reportedly took place at Mulund West’s busy market stretch, where several hawkers questioned the timing of the drive and accused the administration of selective action. Videos circulating on local messaging groups showed vendors shouting as officials attempted to dismantle makeshift stalls.

Despite the friction, BMC teams—with support from Mumbai Police—continued their operations. By the end of the day, 50 illegal stalls had been removed across Mulund East and West.

Why Mulund Became a Target

Mulund has long been regarded as one of Mumbai’s cleaner and better-planned suburbs, but over the past decade, rapid population growth and high commercial demand have resulted in a proliferation of unauthorized street stalls. Many of these stalls, although providing livelihoods to migrant workers and small business owners, have encroached on footpaths, causing traffic blockages and raising concerns about safety and hygiene.

Footpath Obstruction

In several pockets of Mulund, especially near the railway station, residents have complained about having to walk on roads due to blocked pavements. Senior citizens and schoolchildren have been particularly affected.

Traffic Congestion

Stalls selling food, electronics, flowers, and clothing have narrowed key public spaces. During peak hours, Mulund’s narrow lanes struggle to accommodate both vehicular movement and pedestrian flow.

Sanitation Issues

Food stalls operating without proper drainage or waste disposal systems have contributed to clogged drains and increased litter. BMC officials maintain that several warnings were issued before action was taken.

How the Operation Unfolded

According to civic sources, the anti-encroachment team had planned the Mulund operation several days in advance. The decision was made after repeated complaints from residents, who claimed that the encroachment had reached unmanageable levels.

Here’s a breakdown of how the operation was executed:

1. Deployment of Teams

Multiple anti-encroachment squads were mobilized from the T-ward office. Each team consisted of:

Civic inspectors
Demolition workers
Truck drivers for transporting seized goods
Police personnel for crowd control

2. Identifying Illegal Structures

Officials used maps and photographic evidence collected during earlier surveys. Stalls without valid permissions or those extending beyond the permissible area were marked.

3. On-Ground Action Begins

Starting early in the morning, teams dismantled temporary structures made of metal sheets, bamboo, plastic, and tarpaulin. Goods were loaded onto trucks, while the cleared spaces were washed down with disinfectant as part of the civic sanitization routine.

4. Attempts at Resistance

Some stall owners refused to vacate and attempted to negotiate. A few reportedly tried to block civic workers from removing their goods, resulting in the clashes.

5. Successful Clearing of 50 Stalls

By late afternoon, nearly 50 illegal stalls had been removed. Footpaths near Mulund railway station, MG Road, and the Navghar area were visibly clearer.

Voices From the Ground

Local Residents Welcome the Move

Many residents appreciated the BMC’s decisive action.

“We haven’t been able to walk on the pavement for months,” said a resident of Zaver Road.
“The street was choking with encroachments. This action was necessary,” commented a senior citizen who regularly uses the footpaths around Mulund station.

Housing societies have also expressed support, hoping the clearance will reduce nuisance and improve cleanliness.

Hawkers Express Pain and Anger

However, the vendors tell a different story.

“We have been selling here for 15 years. This stall feeds our family,” said a fruit seller who lost his stall in the drive.
“Instead of removing us, the corporation should give us designated vending zones,” argued another vendor.

Some hawkers claim they were not given adequate notice. Others allege that selective enforcement allows some illegal stalls to remain while others are destroyed.

Political Reactions

The incident quickly drew attention from local political leaders. Opposition representatives criticized the timing of the crackdown, calling it “insensitive” and urging the BMC to focus on rehabilitation rather than demolition.

Meanwhile, civic officials defended the move, stating that the action was conducted strictly according to law and after multiple warnings.

Legal Framework: What Counts as “Illegal”?

According to the Maharashtra Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, vendors must possess vending certificates issued by the Town Vending Committee (TVC). However, the TVC formation process has been delayed in several parts of Mumbai, leaving many hawkers in limbo—neither fully legal nor officially permitted.

Under current BMC rules:

No stall may obstruct pedestrian pathways
No vendor may operate outside the designated hawking zone
Temporary structures must conform to safety and hygiene guidelines

Many of the stalls removed today reportedly violated multiple provisions.

Impact on Daily Life

The sudden removal of 50 stalls created mixed emotions across Mulund.

Positive Impact

Clearer sidewalks: For the first time in months, pedestrians could walk freely near Mulund station.
Reduced congestion: Autos and buses had more space to maneuver.
Improved cleanliness: Removal of food stalls reduced litter and waste.

Negative Impact

Loss of affordable street food and goods
Financial hardship for hawkers
Temporary disruption during dismantling operations

A Pattern Across Mumbai

Mulund is not the only suburb witnessing aggressive anti-encroachment drives. In the past year, similar actions were carried out in:

Dadar
Andheri
Bandra
Kurla
Borivali

Urban planners note that these actions reflect Mumbai’s ongoing struggle to balance its dynamic street economy with the need for systematic urban development.

What Happens Next?

Civic officials announced that continued monitoring will be conducted to prevent stalls from returning. Meanwhile, hawker unions are expected to approach the BMC seeking rehabilitation or designated vending areas.

Urban experts suggest that only a well-implemented hawker policy—supported by infrastructure, clear zoning, and transparent governance—can resolve the recurring conflicts between vendors and authorities.

Conclusion

The clearing of 50 illegal stalls in Mulund marks another chapter in Mumbai’s complex relationship with urban encroachment. While the BMC’s actions may bring temporary relief to pedestrians and residents, the underlying issues of livelihood, governance, and urban planning remain unresolved.

The two clashes earlier in the day highlight the emotional and economic stakes involved. As Mumbai continues to grow, finding a humane, sustainable, and legally sound approach to street vending will determine how the city balances its vibrant street culture with the demands of modern urban life.

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