Title - Eviction of hawkers from railway foot overbridges on the cards

Mumbai:  Maharashtra home minister R R Patil today directed the police to undertake a joint drive with civic authorities to evict hawkers from railway foot overbridges (FOBs).

Talking to reporters, Patil said the hawkers were not only a security threat, but also a nuisance for women commuters.

He said he had taken serious note of the presence of hawkers on the Dadar FOB after six months of their eviction.

Patil spoke to BMC commissioner Sitaram Kunte and joint commissioner (law and order) Sadanand Date and asked them to undertake a joint drive to remove hawkers from railway bridges and subways.

Patil had visited the Dadar FOB in April this year and said that they posed threat to security. He said he had received complaints from female commuters about difficulties they face while passing through the bridge.

Though the Dadar FOB was cleared of hawkers, they have started operating on the bridge after six months.

According to home department officials, the lenient approach by police and civic authorites was due to pressure from local politicians to allow hawkers to function.

Patil decided to act after recent commuters' complaints that the hawkers have returned in large numbers. He spoke to Kunte and assured him police protection.

Meanwhile, Patil said he had asked the civic commissioner to see if skywalks could be allowed by hawkers to do business. "If skywalks are not used by commuters, why not utilise them for sky shopping. It will help us to clear roads and footpaths outside the railway station," he said.