Mumbai: Plans to pack off Haji Ali Dabbawala?

Dabbawalas of Mumbai have been fearing the removal of the dabbawala statue at Haji Ali by the BMC. The Dabbawala Association has claimed that the BMC is trying to remove the sculpture installed in 2017 at Haji Ali Junction. The association said BMC didn't permit the dabbawalas to offer salutation to the statue on May 1, on International Workers Day.

The BMC had installed a 14-feet-high statue of a dabbawala as a tribute to the community of dabbawalas operating for over a century with a unique lunchbox delivery system that transport meals from homes and restaurants to the city's working class. The dabbawalas have been lauded for their network and the enviable six sigma efficiency.

The dabbawalas fear that the BMC may remove the statue by keeping them in the dark. Subhash Talekar, chairman of Mumbai Dabbawala Association said, "We learnt that the contract of maintenance of the traffic island is now given to another contractor and the statue will be removed so that they get space for advertisement. The BMC didn't allow us to offer salutations to the statue on May 1, International Workers' Day." He further said if the BMC tries to remove the statue then they will start a protest against it.

Meanwhile, owing to the concerns raised by Dabbawala Association, MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha has written to the BMC to not shift the statue from the spot. Talekar said that they will try to meet officials concerned over the issue on Friday. Sharad Ughade, assistant commissioner of D ward did not respond to calls and messages from mid-day.

14 Feet
Height of the sculpture