The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday has carried out a drive to remove illegal encroachments in the Dongri area of Mumbai.
Officials said that nine unauthorised shops were demolished along Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Road and nearby areas in Dongri.
The action was taken after authorities found that encroachments were obstructing pedestrian movement, they said.
Apart from the shops, the civic team removed illegal extensions of shops, unauthorised signboards, and iron poles placed on roads for parking vehicles. Action was also taken against illegal hawkers operating in the area, the officials said.
Joint civic action
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Chanda Jadhav and led by Assistant Commissioner Yogesh Desai. Multiple civic departments, including encroachment removal, licensing, and solid waste management, took part in the drive.
Adequate police security was provided by the Dongri police station to ensure that the operation was carried out smoothly without any disturbance.
Action to continue
Civic authorities have said that similar drives against illegal constructions and hawkers will continue regularly to keep public spaces clear and accessible.
Demolition drive along GMLR
Meanwhile, earlier this month, in a massive demolition drive, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police had cleared nearly 11 acres of government land along the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road (GMLR).
More than 1,200 unauthorised slum structures were demolished in a single day, officials had earlier said.
The drive took place in Mankhurd, where a large number of illegal huts had been built on government land. Officials said the action was part of a planned effort to reclaim public property from encroachment.
A joint team including officials from the BMC, revenue department, police, and the Public Works Department carried out the demolition.
Senior officials involved in the operation included Additional District Collector Padmakar Rokde, Deputy District Collector Asha Tamkhede, Sub-Divisional Officer Kalpana Gode, Assistant Commissioner Ujwal Ingole, and Tehsildar Dilip Rayannavar, along with officers from the local police station.
200 workers, excavators, JCBs, dumpers, and drone cameras deployed
An official BMC statement said that around 200 workers, along with heavy machinery such as excavators, JCBs, dumpers, and drone cameras, were deployed. Adequate police presence ensured the operation remained orderly.
Officials said the encroachments had come up on nearly 22 acres of government land. The eviction was part of an ongoing effort to clear illegal settlements along the key road corridor.
