News Brief
BMC Headquarters in Mumbai
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday (24 January) removed illegal encroachments from around 40 shops on Mohammed Ali Road in Mumbai.
This came a day after the Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC) razed encroachments from around 15 structures at Haidary Chowk on Mira Road in Thane district.
The MBMC's demolition drive was conducted in the same area where clashes had broken outbetween two munities on Sunday night.
BMC officials stated that the structures removed on Mohammed Ali Road were illegal and obstructed footpaths, Indian Express reported.
Notable businesses affected included Noorani Milk Centre and Suleman Usman Mithaiwala, both established in the 1930s.
“At present there are local drives being taken up in all municipal wards as part of CM’s ‘deep cleaning’ drive. For which, we are removing small roadside eateries and vendors to ensure the pavements stay clean. This drive has been operational since first week of December," a BMC official from the encroachment removal department was quoted as saying in the IE report.
Shop owners expressed surprise at the demolition, citing a lack of prior warning or notice from the civic authorities.
A BMC official said that the demolished stalls were temporary and illegal, lacking proper addresses for notice delivery, leading to immediate action without prior notification.