Ignoring letters from the traffic police and BEST, the BMC permitted hawkers in Borivli to encroach upon roads to such an extent that bus routes had to be diverted. Now, the Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission (MSHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. A division bench comprising Justice K K Tated, chairperson of the commission, and panel member M A Sayeed, has summoned the BMC commissioner and directed the submission of an impartial fact-finding report. The report is to address why no action was taken or responses provided to multiple letters sent by BEST and the traffic police.
 
The MSHRC initiated action after mid-day reported on November 12, about hawkers encroaching on Court Lane, also known as Bhaji Market Gully, forcing BEST to divert its services to Chandavarkar Road. During a hearing on Thursday, the commission referred to the mid-day report titled “This Borivli hawker market has killed several BEST services”. Summons were also sent to BEST, the commissioner of police (Mumbai), and the additional commissioner of police (Traffic) to submit fact-finding reports on the reasons for the route diversions.

The closure of the lane contributes significantly to traffic congestion on SV Road and surrounding areas. File Pic/Anurag Ahire