Heavy rain thins opening-day crowds at Bandra Fair

Heavy rain reduced footfall at stalls near Mount Mary as the eight-day Bandra Fair opened on September 13.

An entrance shamiana collapsed early that morning, though no injuries were reported. Rain affected visitors and sales at stalls near the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount.

Irin Polly, who was selling Goan sweets including bebinca, dodol and guava cheese, said the slow opening-day turnout concerned him. He said he paid Rs 1.5 lakh to sub-rent a stall after he did not secure one through the basilica management’s lottery system. Comparable stalls had previously cost Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000, he said.

Thomson Fernandes, a hairstylist offering free haircuts from his Chapel Road salon on the fair’s opening and closing Sundays, said 10 to 12 people had used the service by evening. He moved his kiosk indoors because of the rain, he said.

The fair is being held alongside daily vehicle restrictions on Mount Mary Road.