Bandra un-Fair? Stallholders rent row continues; 400% surge brought down to 53%

As the annual Bandra Fair approaches, Mount Mary Basilica is embroiled in controversy over steep rent hikes. Originally, rents soared by over 400%, sparking widespread protests. Though the rates were later reduced to a 53% increase, stall owners are still dissatisfied.

With just weeks to go before the fair, tensions remain high among the 150 stallholders, who argue that the revised rates are still unaffordable.

The fair, a week-long tradition honouring Mother Mary's birthday, typically attracts around one million visitors. In 2022, stall rent was ₹290 per square foot, which jumped to ₹590 last year. This year, the rate surged to 3,₹000 per square foot for prime spots, before being slashed to ₹900 following protests. Despite the reduction, many stallholders find the new rates unaffordable, with a 10ft x 10ft stall now costing ₹90,000.

Rupesh Gomes, leading the protest, highlighted that many stall owners incurred losses due to last year's hike. In response, stall owners have called for a boycott of the application process, which usually begins around August 15. They are demanding further rent reductions, citing the brief eight-day duration of their stall usage.

The standoff continues as protesters plan to approach Cardinal Oswald Gracias for resolution, while church authorities maintain that further reductions would impact cost recovery for infrastructure improvements.