Urban News

Hindustan Times  22.10.2010

As the monsoon is now over, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started a massive demolition drive against illegal structures in the city. On Thursday, the civic body demolished over 200 illegal commercial structures in Ganpat Patil Nagar on New Link Road, Dahisar (West). Ganpat Patil Nagar, located between IC Colony in Borivli and Dahisar, has more than 4,000 slums that have mushroomed illegally on mangrove land.

A week ago, the BMC’s R-North ward office had served notices under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning (MRTP) Act to all illegal commercial structures in Ganpat Patil Nagar. As they were not vacated, the structures were demolished on Thursday. There were 71 structures housing about 200 illegal shops of plywood, chemists, general stores, hotels, timber marts, garages and video parlours.

Parag Masurkar, assistant municipal commissioner, who conducted the drive, said: “We have started issuing notices to illegal slums as well and we will take action after the Diwali vacation.”

There were 80 police constables, 30 labourers and 4 earthmovers, which were pressed into use for the demolition drive. “About 25 illegal structures still remain, which have obtained a stay order from the Dindoshi court. These stay orders are on the basis of forged documents. The BMC should move forward to vacate the stay of these shops, and also the New Link Road Residents forum is moving an intervention application to ensure that the stay order is vacated,” said Harish Pandey, a member of the New Link Road Residents forum.

Also, the civic license department has started initiating action against illegal hawkers in the western and eastern suburbs. “On Wednesday and Thursday, the department took action against 900 hawkers from Bandra, Khar to Andheri, Borivli and Dahisar. Action was also taken against hawkers on LBS Road, VN Purav Marg, Sion-Trombay Road, outside Chembur railway station, Ghatkopar and Mulund railway station,” said deputy superintendent of license BM Sangle.