Let solutions to citizens’ woes be permanent ones

BEST buses parked outside Dadar station in April this year. File pic

Given the high resonance of the problem, our front-page report on a Dadar-Worli bus route being truncated because of hawkers has evinced tremendous response. Such was the impact of the report that the route was restored post it appearing in the paper. It is vital though not to look at this in isolation. Most commuters are understandably irate about the fact that BEST buses may have to shorten routes or change them because of obstructions. The restored Worli to Dadar and back bus route was tremendously popular given the number of commuters. It was one of BEST's most well-thought-out ‘feeder' services.

Initially, the BEST said it was not just hawkers that had made the ride shorter. It is also the crush of shoppers at Dadar during the high festive season that makes shopping there particularly perilous. The pedestrians are spilling out on the roads, walking towards the station, looking for bargains and the fairly narrow road means it gets difficult for bus drivers.

While that is accepted and Dadar is a high-density area, especially during festivals, it is important we tackle the hawkers on that stretch. Even though the BEST has reverted to the original route, plans for hawking zones, earmarking pitches, designated areas similar to zones, keeping footpaths hawker free seem to be ‘look good' plans on paper.

The implementation, even if it happens, seems to be temporary as we have witnessed a boomerang effect. Hawkers that were removed inevitably return to the place.
Livelihoods are vital in these tough times but regulation for commuters and pedestrian rights are, too. Pedestrians spill onto the roads precisely because the footpaths are taken over. We truly need to free up the roads and the pathways. Let's make the jump from on-paper plans to lasting on-ground reality.