Khau Galli Chaos: BMC Clamps Down, But Vendors Are Back In Action

Churchgate, Mumbai: In a bid to address growing concerns about illegal food stalls disrupting office-goers on J Tata Road, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a crackdown earlier this week. Known colloquially as ‘Khau Galli’, the area in Churchgate is notorious for unauthorized stalls that hinder pedestrian movement and cause a nuisance to locals.

According to Jaydeep More, executive engineer in charge of A Ward, the BMC took swift action by confiscating equipment and items from several unauthorised vendors on Wednesday and Thursday. However, despite the measures, vendors swiftly returned to the scene, with some stalls even resuming operations without their previously confiscated items.

One coconut vendor, near the Astoria Hotel, shared that the BMC had removed his stall’s shed, but he continues to operate to support his livelihood. While around 50% of the stalls had been shut down following the BMC’s intervention, many tables and items remained cluttered along the footpath.

Despite the BMC's efforts, vendors say they are working to reclaim their belongings and secure licenses to avoid further disruption, leaving many to wonder if the crackdown will have lasting results.