India, June 7 -- The QR code-based identity cards soon to be issued to Mumbai's 99,435 eligible hawkers will offer no protection from eviction. These vendors will continue to be vulnerable to civic eviction drives if they obstruct traffic or pedestrians, deputy municipal commissioner (special) said Vinayak Vispute told HT.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is scheduled to hand out identity cards to eligible hawkers in various civic wards from June 10, a process expected to be completed by June 15. The QR code will record information provided by hawkers including their names, addresses and locations where they vend.

"The identity cards are not a licence to sell on the streets. As per court orders, these hawkers will have to fo...