In response to the tragic altercation resulting in the death of an ambulance driver due to clashes among vendors at Dr. D.Y Patil Hospital gate in Nerul, the Nerul Police, in collaboration with the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), initiated a stringent action against unauthorized hawkers operating at night in the area.

Wednesday night witnessed a joint operation by the Nerul ward office Office and Nerul Police taking action against unauthorized street food vendors.

A recent incident, where an ambulance driver lost his life due to a dispute over setting up stalls selling coconut water and Anda Burji at the hospital gate, has brought the issue of unauthorized night hawkers into focus. These vendors, engaged in selling Andaburji, Chinese cuisine, Panipuri, and ice cream, have been found to obstruct footpaths illegally, using gas cylinders without authorization, and running businesses endangering citizens' safety.

Complaints from residents indicate that these unauthorized hawkers not only cause disruptions by crowding footpaths but also attract drug addicts, resulting in inconvenience and potential safety hazards for pedestrians and commuters in the vicinity.

The increasing number of such hawkers has raised concerns among citizens about the likelihood of untoward incidents occurring in the area. Subsequently, a joint operation was conducted by the Nerul Police Station and the B-Division Office of the Municipal Corporation between 10:30 pm to 12:30 am on Wednesday.

The enforcement team targeted the Nerul Railway Station (W) side parking area, L.P. Junction, and took action against unauthorized hawkers selling anda burji, chinese food, panipuri, and ice cream near the bridge, specifically under the Rajiv Gandhi Bridge in Sector-23 Juinagar. As part of the operation, all their vehicles were confiscated.

Prabodhan Mwade, Ward Officer at Nerul, stated that actions were taken against these unauthorized hawkers conducting business at night, and their vehicles were seized. He also emphasized the continued commitment to curbing the presence of unauthorized street food stalls and other unauthorized hawkers in the future.