'The Urban Justifying Encroachments Theory'

An Indian politician supports the special interest group with the biggest influence on Mumbai street life -- hawkers.

1 minute read

November 2, 2003, 1:00 PM PST

By David Gest


Trade union leader Sharad Rao envisions a Mumbai where "you will see hawkers occupying every vacant place, may it be a ground, foot path, road or a bridge, trying to sell anything and everything, from pin to Piano." Supporting the hawkers could result in "poor tax payers and law abiding citizens having no place to walk and no means to commute." Rao's "urban justifying encroachments theory" encourages "encroachment on public open spaces [and] on people's privacy." How can citizens unclog Mumbai's streets? "It is clear now that...no authority will be able to clear this nuisance...stop buying from hawkers, [and] they will not be able to survive."

Thanks to David Gest

Thursday, October 23, 2003 in The Times Of India

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