Click to play videoMumbai: A new landmark for Mumbai, the first skywalk in suburban Bandra, just months after it was opened to pedestrians, the city's development authority, MMRDA has now proposed a new plan to rehabilitate hawkers on skywalks
Of the 50 new skywalks planned across the city many of these will also have demarcated hawking plazas but citizens' groups are questioning the necessity of such hawking zones on pedestrian spaces
“Rupees 600 crores of public funds are being wasted, skywalks are for pedestrians so we object to hawkers" says president, Retail traders association, Viren Shah.
Shopkeepers also argue that a Supreme Court order in 2003 prevented hawking near railway stations and foot-over bridges and the hawkers would also mean loss of business for retailers but MMRDA officials dismiss such fears
"Only skywalks with 7 metre width will have hawking areas, some shopkeepers may object but not everybody," says joint project director, MMRDA, Dilip Kawatkar.
Mumbaikars have a mixed response to the idea of 'shop as you walk. “I don’t mind if the plan is executed properly, government will also earn some revenue, " says a Mumbaikar. "Only one or two shops otherwise it'l be crowded," adds another.
The State government is looking to the sky for revenue generating options but now due to opposition, the much-touted skywalk project may not have an easy road ahead.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
