The Times of India 15.04.2013
Mayor seeks list of illegal religious structures on roads
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.
