India, Nov. 3 -- Frustrated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC's) inaction against illegal hawkers, Colaba residents have issued a one-week ultimatum demanding immediate removal of encroachments along the busy Colaba Causeway, warning that they will stage a symbolic protest by setting up their own stalls outside the ward office next Saturday if no action is taken.

Led by former BJP corporator Makarand Narwekar, residents submitted a letter to the A Ward office on Friday. The letter claims that "more than 50 percent of the stalls on Colaba Causeway are illegal," and that the unchecked encroachments have rendered the footpaths "completely non-walkable and unsafe for pedestrians." Residents claim that the situation has worsene...