As the city grew by leaps and bounds, the city’s hawkers had their own set of problems. Suresh Kalmadi took the initiative of rehabilitating this poor section of the society. ‘Rehabilitation first and then we will look at legalities’, was his brave stance and anxieties of hawkers were put to rest. Under JNNURM, Kalmadi, with an aim of rehabilitation, planned provisions for the construction of 20,000 permanent stalls and is also trying to get funds for 20,000 more hawkers, cart pullers and small vendors.The city thus takes a distinction of being the first to have cared for small hawkers, cart puller and small vendors.

On December 5, 2006 a bhoomipujan was done to flag off this project at Wadgaonsheri in the presence of Shramik Leader, Dr. Baba Adhav and the Union Minister of Poverty Eradication and Housing Development, Smt Shaillaja Kumari. JNNURM has sanctioned Rs.28 crores for this project. About 3113 stall for stall owners, 3172 for cart pullers 1237 for small hawkers would be erected and 76 mini markets will be brought into existence with Kalmadi’s pioneering efforts. There is also an effort on his part to include paper, glass and garbage pickers under this scheme.