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Journalism of Courage
When the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) started demarcating areas for relocating hawkers from Dadar in Matunga Road, it infuriated the residents. Under the leadership of Dinesh Ahir, they decided to form an informal residents’ association which would make sure that the hawkers didn’t encroach upon their area. Thus came into existence matunga-mahim residents’ association. “Allotting pitches is as good as giving licenses to hawkers. So we decided to file a case in Bombay High Court,” says Ahir.
A case, along with that of Citizens’ Forum (a group of around 13 residents’ welfare associations which is also fighting against hawkers), was filed in High Court. The decision of the court is awaited. Till then the decision to shift the hawkers from Dadar to Matunga Road has also been withheld.
Convener of Matunga-Mahim Residents’ Association, group of 20 co-operative societies each with not less than five buildings, says: “We understand that a permanent solution has to be provided. If hawkers areshifted from one area to another, the residents of that area will be at inconvenience.” He further adds: “We have provided tentative solutions to the Ward Officers, implementation is now upto them.”
According to Ahir, hawkers should be relocated in BMC markets and market policy should be changed to adjust them. Another suggestion given by him is that certain plots in the city which have been proposed as markets should be developed to house these hawkers.
Looking at the conviction of the association and the strength that it has gained in short span of time, the residents of G-North Ward have decided to form a G-North Association. “Now we are in the process of formalising this RWA,” says Ahir.
What is the main aim of Matunga-Mahim Residents’ Welfare Association? According to Ahir, knitting the neighbourhood for fighting against the problems and aiming at better quality of life. He says: “The residents have to give up Chalta Hai attitude. They have to come forward and sort things out forthemselves.”
