Delayed redevelopment, inadequate water supply, narrow roads and the hawker menace are some of the issues Byculla residents have been facing for the past few decades. Famous for its Khada Parsi statue, old-world charm, iconic botanical garden and zoo and wholesale vegetable market, the populous Assembly seat, which never repeated an MLA in the past three elections, is witnessing an interesting fight between the rival Shiv Senas as well as the AIMIM.

“The hawker menace is affecting traffic and pedestrian movement. On the other hand, hawkers have their own issues. Though these are somewhat managed locally by setting timings for hawking, we need a permanent solution,” said Nadeem Husain.