India, March 27 -- The Bombay high court's recent directive to permit over 99,000 hawkers in Mumbai has placed the BMC in a challenging position, with experts and stakeholders divided on how such a large number can be accommodated in the city's already congested streets.

Mumbai's narrow roads, limited footpaths, and the pedestrian-first principle for pavements make it a Herculean task for the civic body to accommodate such a huge number of hawkers. Moreover, the BMC has been cautioned by the court that excessive delay in implementation could invite contempt proceedings.

With an estimated 700,000 hawkers currently operating both legally and illegally, the court's directive has reignited the debate on the need for a comprehensive and prac...