India, Feb. 12 -- Mumbai's new mayor, Ritu Tawde, 52, says high on her list of priorities is clearing the city's footpaths of illegal Bangladeshi hawkers, restoring pavements to pedestrians and seniors.

"Strict action will be taken against hawkers found to be bogus," said Tawde, adding that the Maharashtra government began to address the issue two months ago. "A full inquiry will be initiated, with document verification already underway, particularly in M East ward," said Mumbai's newly elected first citizen, in her first media interaction after she took oath as Mumbai's 78th mayor on Wednesday. "I don't just want to sit in the mayor's chair, I want to work among the people," she remarked.

Outlining her governance approach, Tawde said s...