SURAT: The number of religious structures on the road and land belonging to Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) was 438 four years ago. This had come out in a survey conducted by the SMC. The municipal corporation was successful in removing only very few even as some new ones compounded its problems. The BJP, which controls the municipal corporation, plans to start a campaign soon for the removal of the encroachments.

Mayor Raju Desai has sought a list of illegal religious structures that exist on the roads.

Desai said, "We won't allow encroachments to hold up city's development. We want to complete the infrastructure projects on time. There is a church, a Hanuman mandir and a small dargah on the proposed Bus Rapid Transport System's (BRTS) route. These shrines would have to be relocated for the general public good."

A senior SMC official said, "It is a serious issue. BJP leaders had said this earlier too but when they saw that their political interest could be jeopardized, they changed their stance on the issue. Hope they do it this time what they say."

SMC plans to complete BRTS phase II in 2013. Phase I is delayed for over 18 months. The municipal corporation hopes to complete major part of the project's phase III and phase IV in this financial year itself.